A 






<. 






O J« o ' 



-A ,1, • • 



V 



«.^ 



A 









.0' 



t^o^ 






^"-^«^. 



qV ■« = , ^O 

•.:c\V^..k''_ o 
























'%.. 



,0 






^/hA >. ..>' 























■i3o 


4 o 


'.'.L ' 




,V^'' 
























^ V"^ ' 

^v.^^ 


SM£'' 




fy^ 




.*^^-. 


^t. 










,0^ C-." 


. -^o 












/* 






^' 




-'v' 




..-'~ 


^ .^v/Ja»^ 


i. ^^ 






;f^ 


^^ 








<^ * 








O 








°^ ^' 




* „ c •^ 


%^^ 


.o,""^ ^"^ 






"' o. 






^ • ■' 




C\ 






X ■ . <7i 


_ °r 


%.^" 








- 





■7^>^/. 






r^\o^' ^■':^5!¥^V^' 'V^^£^^\g^' ^' 



aV 






-^z..-.^ 





cP. * o . o " O, >^ 



•■'■a''* '^-=^*''^--' \^ 







.0 



<^_ 







S 0"' 



^' 



o. 




.r 



^oV^ 



.0 



,0 




.V 






V* 



•,v^ 




r3' 



3.0-?-. 



4\J '7- 



0-7* ' -K o ^ ^- 



^^ 



,^q. 



r'v. 



"> 



A 



^^ 



'Z- 









^-^^.^ ^ 






.^' 




^-. 
^^. 






V ^^^''^^^^^ ^ 






-^^ 



^• 



^-^^^ 




¥: 









.*^<=L 



•>". 



«i fil 



.^^ 



.^'' 



'-i- 










V-/ " • • * \ ' 



•^^. V.-* 



^'j"'" 



.« 



-^ 



^ 




i 



THE 



History of New Jersey, 



FROM ITS 



EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME. 



INCLUDING 



A BRIEF HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE FIRST DISCOYERIES AND SETTLEMENT OF THE COCNTRT, 



■y 



JOHlSr O. EAUM, 



Author of the History of Trenton ; History of Trenton Lodge, No 5, A. F A. M. 

Digest of New Jersey, I. O O F : Mission of Odd Fellowship, 

etc., etc., etc. 



IN TWO VOLUMES. 

VOL. I. 




PHILADELPHIA: 
JOHN E. POTTER AND COMPANY, 

617 Sansom Street. 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1877, by 

John O. Raum, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



<y. 



Introductory. 



T T ISTORY has universally conceded that Christopher Colum- 
-»- J- bus was the first successful navigator to the Western Conti- 
nent, and in furtherance of his discoveries the first colonies 
were founded, yet it does not concede to him the honor of 
being the first discoverer, as we have information that I think 
can be relied on, that Eric of Iceland, made discoveries on this 
continent as early as the year 986, being five hundred and six 
years before Columbus landed here ; and tradition informs us 
that the Chinese penetrated within the bounds of the continent 
in the year 498, nearly one thousand years before the discovery 
by Columbus. 

Although we have no authentic information to sustain the 
latter, yet we are not prepared fully to reject it, as the Asiatics 
were, previous to the introduction of the religion of Confucius 
among the Chinese, a nomadic people, and wandered from place 
to place, but since the introduction of his religious tenets, they 
ceased their wanderings, and remained at home, in order that 
their bones might be entombed with those of their ancestors; 
and even to this day, those who come to this and other countries, 
do so with the stipulation, that their bones are to be sent back 
to their own country. 

In support of the discovery by Icelanders, we have the evi- 
dence of the researches of the society of Antiquarians of Copen- 
hagen, established in 1837. We have also the evidence of the 
learned Dr. Wheaton, in his history of the Danes and Norwegi- 
ans, who, in one passage, says : " Or as they were called North- 
men, that there is not the slightest reason to believe that the 
illustrious Genoese was acquainted with the discovery of North 



6 INTRODUCTORY. 

America by the Normans five centuries before his time, how- 
ever well authenticated that fact now appears to be by the 
Icelandic records." ^ 

And in a lecture delivered in New York City, March 3, 1874, 
by Rev. Charles Kingsley, Canon of Westminster, England, he 
stated that "the Northmen discovered the rock bound coast of 
New England one thousand years ago." One week later, 
March 10, 1874, Hon. A. M. Waddell, of North Carolina, de- 
livered a lecture in New York on the same subject, in which he 
brought forth arguments and facts to prove that the first voyage 
of the Icelanders to Greenland, was in the year 983, which was 
followed by voyages to North Carolina, which fact was also 
stated by Humboldt in his " Cosmos," a work of great merit, 
*' and further that the statement of Humboldt was not only true, 
but less than the whole truth, for in his opinion, the evidence 
which he was about to offer, established the fact that voyages 
to, and settlements south of Chesapeake bay were made by a 
Celtic race before the discovery of Greenland by Eric the Red. 
Instead then of having been less than four hundred years since 
the discovery of our continent, it must have been about nine 
hundred years." 

I have introduced these arguments to corroborate the state- 
ments made in the opening chapter of this work, that the origi- 
nal discovery of this continent was made by the Northmen, 
previous to the landing of Columbus. 



pRZ:Fy\CE. 



IN presenting to the public a new History of New Jersey, it is only 
evident propriety, that the indulgence of the reader should be 
asked to a few preliminary remarks respecting the object had in view 
in this volume, and the claims which it is conceived it has upon the 
citizens of the state. 

" It is not without reason," says Rollin, "that History has always 
been considered as the light of ages, the depository of events, the 
faithful evidence of truth, the source of prudence and good counsel, 
and the rule of conduct and good manners. ******** 
It is History which fixes the seal of immortality upon actions truly great, 
and sets a mark of infamy on vices which no after age can obliterate. 
It is by History that mistaken merit and oppressed virtue, appeal in 
the incorruptible tribunal of posterity, which renders them the justice 
their own age has sometimes refused them, and without respect of 
persons, and the fear of a power which subjects no more, condemns 
the unjust abuse of authority with inexorable rigor. ***** 
History when it is well taught, becomes a school of morality for all 
mankind." 

" All History," says Dryden, " is only the precepts of moral philoso- 
phy reduced into examples." He also observes : " The laws of history 
in general, are truth of matter, method and clearness of expression. 
The first property is necessary to keep our understanding from the 
impositions of falsehood, for history is an argument framed from 
many particular examples or inductions ; if these examples are not 
true, the measure of life which one take from them, will be false, and 
deceive us in their consequences. The second is grounded on the 
former ; for if the method be confused, if the words of expression of 
thought be obscure, then the ideas which we receive must be im- 
perfect, and if such, we are not taught by them what to elect, or what 
to shun. Truth, therefore, is required as the foundation of history, to 



8 PREFACE. 

inform us ; dispositions and perspicuity, as the manner to inform us 
plainly." 

Having given the views of two distinguished writers, as to what 
history should be, let us speak more particularly of the present one. 

In preparing this work, the one great object ever before me has 
been, to present a truthful, impartial and readable narrative of the 
origin, rise and progress of a state which though not so large as some 
others, is of equal importance to any other in our glorious Union. 
Having no ends to gain but those of truth and right ; no theories to 
establish, no partisan views or wishes to gratify ; 1 have honestly 
endeavored to ascertain what the truth is, and then to set it forth as 
clearly, and as fully as was possible within the limits to which I was 
restricted. I have spared no labor in order to be accurate and re- 
liable ; I have not neglected to consult any work of value which was 
within my reach, and having free access at all times to the numerous 
volumes in the State Library, I have had opportunities to obtain re- 
liable information possessed by very few persons in the state ; besides, 
having been for the last fifteen, years, employed in the military 
department of the state, I have been enabled to obtain reliable in 
formation relating to the late rebellion, which will be found fully set 
forth in the second volume of this history. 

Every person should be familiar with the history not only of the 
country in which he lives and its institutions, but more especially of 
his own state. 

The compiler therefore, thinks it a most fitting time to lay before 
the citizens of his native state, the many interesting facts and inci' 
dents that have occurred from its first formation as a province and 
state, as well as during the eventful quarter of a century just gone by. 

Every Jerseyman may well feel proud that he lives in so favored a 
state, every foot of whose soil was purchased from the aborigines 
who inhabited the land prior to the time it was settled by the whites, 
and that no land was taken up except by purchase. 

The great object of the compiler of this work has been to present a 
truthful, impartial and readable narrative of the origin, rise and 
progress of every important event in our state. And in order to 



PREFACE. 9 

accomplish this, he has spared no labor or expense to obtain accurate 
and reliable information, and has not, in the pursuance of this object, 
neglected to consult any work of value which was within his reach ; 
and in all cases of doubt, has carefully and conscientiously sought 
to compare and sift conflicting accounts, and to lay before the reader 
only that which seemed to be the nearest approximation to the truth, 
which probably under the circumstances, can now be attained. 

That a work, covering so large an extent of time, and treating of so 
vast a variety of subjects, should be free from occasional errors, is 
not to be expected by any one who knows how exceedingly difficult 
it is to avoid error in writing on historical subjects, as different authors 
consulted differ sometimes as to circumstances and dates. With all 
the care and devotion which I have given this history, I hardly dare 
flatter myself that here and there errors have not crept in, and 
escaped observation. I can only hope— which I do with tolerable 
confidence— that they are few and far between, and that there are 
none of material consequence to the value and integrity of the 
history. 

With these brief introductory remarks and statements, the present 
History of New Jersey is submitted to the consideration of the citizens 
of my native state, with whom I have passed more than half a 
century ; and I trust it may be found valuable for the purpose for 
which a history is intended, and that a copy may be placed in the 
hands of every citizen of the state, as the information herein con- 
tained can be rehed on as authentic, having been collected from the 
latest and most reliable sources ; in full hopes that it may be found 
useful and interesting, and may become a text book for all matters 
relating to a state whose citizens have been second to none in their 
devotion to the interests of the country, in the revolutionary struggle, 
or any other in which our country has been engaged, and in which 
they have ever proved themselves no less patriotic than those of any 
other state in our glorious and prosperous country. 
Trenton, January i, 1S77. 



■fJop^TEJ^T^. 



CHAPTER I. 

986 — 1609. 

Page. 
First discoverers of the Western continent— Opinion of the 
Indians respecting them— Claims set up for the discovery- 
Phoenicians, Egyptians and Carthagenians— Tartarians, Siberi- 
ans and Kamscatkins— Spaniards, Germans, French and 
EngHsh— First colony planted— English charter. 17 

CHAPTER H. 

1609 — 1664. 

First patent — Extent of land contained therein— Dutch and 
Swedes— Speech to the Indians in behalf of the Queen of 
Sweden— Their approval— First name of New Jersey— Surren- 
der of the province by the Dutch. 34 

CHAPTER III. 

1664 — 1669. 

The Dutch at Delaware bay— Sir Pvobert Carre— Right of the 
crown of England to these provinces— Duke of York— First 
constitution of New Jersey— Inducements to settlers. 54 

CHAPTER IV. 

1669 — 1680 

Stratagem of a settler— Penelope Stout— Her rescue— Her de- 
scendants—Wampum the chief currency of the country— 



12 CONTENTS. 

Page. 
Proclamation of the Governor — Division of the Province — 

Yorkshire and London purchasers — Meeting of Proprietors. 75 



CHAPTER V. 

1680 — 1703. 

Settlement of the first or Yorkshire tenth — Settlement of the 
second or London tenth — First carpenter that came to 'this 
country — John Kinsey — His account of the country — Thomas 
Hooten's account — Mahlon Stacy's account — West Jersey — 
First Assembly, 98 

CHAPTER VL 

1681— 1682. 

Indian tribes — Modes of burial — Superstitions — Care of the sick 
— Care of their children — Marriageable ages — Marriage ceremo- 
nies — Representatives chosen by the Proprietors — Laws passed 
by the Governor, council and assembly — Third and last grant 
by the Duke of York. 120 

CHAPTER VII. 

1682 — 1703. 

Land grants to settlers — First building at Amboy — First saw- 
mills erected — Bergen settled by the Dutch — Disturbances in 
the Province — Ferry started at Perth Amboy — First settled 
preacher in the Province — First ship built in the Province — 
Prices paid for provisions — Failure of crops — Great distress. 141 

CHAPTER VIII. 

1703— 1707. 

Union of the two Provinces of East and West Jersey — Surrrender 
to the Queen — Inconveniences in regard to currency — Conflict 
between the assembly and Governor, by which he dissolves 



CONTENTS. 



13 



Page, 
them — Cornbury assumes to be judge of the quaUfications of 
members — Resistance by the house — Remedies proposed to 
meet the evils in the Provinces — Queen Anne sustains the as- 
sembly, and removes the Governor. 166 



CHAPTER IX. 

1708 — 1710. 

Lord Lovelace succeeds Cornbury — His concihatory measures 
satisfactory to the assembly and people — Paper money estab- 
lished in the Province — Expedition to reduce Canada, and 
drive out the French— Troops promised from England— The 
French governor capitulates — Expedition against Port Royal. 188 

CHAPTER X. 

1711 — 1776. 

Second expedition against Canada — Arrival of transports con- 
taining troops from England — Passage of bill permitting 
Quakers to affirm — Governor Hunter's administration satis- 
factory to the people— Accession of King George I— Severe 
storms— Acts for running the division line between New York 
and New Jersey. 208 

CHAPTER XI. 

1674— 1693. 

Quintipartite deed— Twenty-four Proprietors — Borough officers for 
Bergen and Elizabethtown — Punishment for different crimes 
— Marriages not to be solemnized imtil after publication — 
Militia law — Formation and boundaries of counties — Bergen — 
Essex — Middlesex — Monmouth. 231 



14 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XII. 

1675. 

Page 
Continuation of counties — Salem — Gloucester — Somerset — Cape 

May — Burlington — Hunterdon — Morris — Cumberland — Sussex 

Warren — Atlantic — Passaic — Mercer — Hudson — Camden — 

Ocean — Union. 254 

CHAPTER XIII. 

1702— 1743. 

The proprietors cede to the crown their rights of jurisdiction — 
Lands purchased from the Indians — Population — Habits of the 
people — Release of Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret — 
Courts — Taxes — Naturalization — First Legislature — Punishment 
of witches — Trading with the Indians prohibited — Drunkenness 
— Schools. 285 

CHAPTER XIV. 

1680— 1786. 

New Jersey when set off from New York — Extent of East and 
West Jersey — First purchases — Consideration paid for the lands 
— First settlement at Burlington — Flood at Delaware Falls — 
Religious institutions — Places of public worship — First courts in 
Trenton — United States government offices removed to Tren- 
ton. 302 

CHAPTER XV. 

1744— 1757. 

Mutiny of New Jersey troops — Troubles between the Governoi 
and the two houses — The Indians favor the French and 
oppose the English — Plan of union proposed — Not satisfactory 



CONTENTS. 15 

Page 
to the English, or the people of the Provinces — Virginia raises 

troops, and places them under command of Colonel George 

Washington. 328 

CHAPTER XVI. 

1758— 1775. 

1' rench and English wars — New Jersey raises double the num- 
ber of men called for — Governor Bernard pacifies the Indians 
— Five colonial governors appointed by the crown in as many 
years — The French surrender their possessions on this side of 
the water — Parliament undertakes to tax the American colonies 
— Stamp act passed — Its repeal. 356 



CHAPTER XVII. 

1760 — 1775. 

Disgust excited by the restrictions on trade — The colonies oppose 
the right of Parliament to tax them in any way — Petitions and 
remonstrances — The colonists refuse to purchase imported 
goods from England — Angry discussion between the gover- 
nor and assembly — Destruction of tea — Battle of Lexington — 
Washington appointed commander-in-chief — Minute men 
raised in New Jersey. 383 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

1775— 1776. 

Appointment of Provincial Treasurer — Committee of safety — Acts 
preparing for war — Delegates to Continental Congress — Pro- 
vincial Governors of New Jersey — Governor Franklin's Procla- 
mation — Governor Livingston's prediction — Virtual declaration 
of Independence — Governor Franklin's arrest — Opposition to 
the measures of Congress. 405 



i6 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

1775—1776. 

Page. 
Our people divided on the war question — First blow at Lexington 

— Opposition to the claims of the British Parliament — Capture 
of the Hessians — Death of Colonel Rahl — Washington re- 
crosses the Delaware. 427 



Vt 



Si^tofy of Jsfew Jef^ey 



CHAPTER I. 

986 — 1609. 

First discoveries of the Western continent — Opi^iion of the Indians 
regarding them — Claims set up for the discovery — Phenicians, 
Egyptians, and Carthagenians — Tartarians, Siberians, and 
Kamschatkans — Spaniards, Germans, French, and English — 
First colony planted — English charter. 

THE first visit to the western continent, of which we have 
any knowledge, was made in the year 986, by Eric, of Ice- 
land, who, in consequence of his florid countenance, was termed 
the Red — and also to distinguish him from another of the same 
name. He emigrated from Iceland, and made his first land- 
ing at Greenland, at which place he formed a settlement. He 
was the first original discoverer from any foreign nation or 
country,* of which we have any definite knowledge. 

In the year 994, Biarne, son of one of the settlers who ac- 
companied Eric on this first voyage, returned to Norway, and 
gave a flowing account of the discoveries he had made south of 
Greenland. And on the return of Biarne, to Greenland, Lief, 

*An account of his discovery was published in 1837, by a Society of Anti- 
quarians, at Copenhagan. 

B 



1 8 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the son of Eric, bought Biarne's ship, and with a crew of thirty- 
five men, embarked on a voyage still further south than had 
been explored by Biarne, in the year looo. Sailing some time 
to the southwest, he came to a country covered with slaty rock, 
which he called Helluland, meaning slate land. 

They next proceeded in a southerly course, and having sailed 
for some time, found a low, flat coast, studded with cliffs of 
white sand, behind which were woods of extensive growth. 
This section of country they called Markland, meaning 

WOODED LAND. 

They next sailed south and west, and finally arrived at a 
promontory, which extended to the east and north, around 
which they sailed some time, when their course was turned west- 
ward, and sailing in that direction, they passed between an 
island and some main land, when they entered a bay into 
which flowed a river, at which place they concluded to winter. 

And having built their winter houses, they discovered abund- 
ance of vines, and from this circumstance they called the coun- 
try ViNELAND. 

The particular location of this part of the country was, for a 
long time, in doubt, but the Antiquarian Society above men- 
tioned, have recently, after a long examination and all the evi- 
dence obtained by them, determined it to be at the head of 
Narragansett Bay, in Rhode Island. The promontory described 
as extending east and north, corresponds with that of Barnstable 
and Cape Cod, and the islands on the west as those of Nantucket 
and Martha's Vineyard, in Massachusetts. 

In the year 1002, Thorwald, brother of Lief, visited Vine- 
land, at which place he remained two years, and was finally 
murdered by the natives. Before his death, he coasted around 
the promontory now called Cape Cod. 

The place where he met his death and was buried, was Gurnet 
Point, at the north side of the entrance to Plymouth harbor, 
Massachusetts. This was called by his crew, Krassames or 
cross-land, because over the grave of Thorwald, they erected a 
cross at the head and foot. 

In the year 1007, three ships sailed from Greenland to Vine- 
land. One under the command of Thorfin Karlesfue, a Norwe- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 19 

gian of royal descent, and Snorre Thorbrandsen, who was also 
of distinguished lineage. Another commanded by Biarne 
Grimalfson and Thorhal Gamlasen. And the third by Thor- 
ward and Thorhall. These three ships had one hundred and 
sixty men, and carried all kinds of domestic animals, for plant- 
ing and sustaining a colony. They sailed from Greenland to 
Helluland, and passing Markland, arrived at Kilarnes. They 
then sailed still farther south, keeping close by the shore of the 
promontory, until they arrived at a trackless beach, where they 
found long wastes of sand. This they called Furthustander, 
meaning wonder strand or beach. They then passed southerly, 
sailing by the island discovered by Lief, and from thence they 
returned to winter at Vineland. The bay into which they sailed 
was called, by them, Hopsvatn or Hop, which in English is 
Hope, the same place in Rhode Island now called Mount Hope, 
afterwards celebrated as the residence of King Philip, the cele- 
brated Indian warrior. 

Thorfin was successful in almost all his enterprises, but after 
a time he returned to Greenland, and finally went to Iceland 
and settled there. 

There is no doubt but that the learned society above men- 
tioned has correctly located Vineland. Markland is supposed 
to be what is now Nova Scotia, and Helluland, Newfoundland 
and the coast of Labrador. 

The first effectual and most important discoveries were made 
in 1492, by Christopher Colen, or Columbus, a native of Genoa, 
a fortified seaport city of Northern Italy, in the Sardinian States, 
on the coast of the Mediterranean. 

Columbus made four voyages to this continent ; in the first of 
which he was accompanied by Amerigo Vespucci, or Vespucius, 
a native of Florence, a celebrated city in Italy, and capital of 
the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. 

Vespucius made three other voyages, one in 1497 and another 
in 1498, under the patronage of Spain, and another in 1501, in 
the service of Portugal. In the first of these he discovered the 
Carribee Islands, and in the latter, with three ships, he arrived 
at, and discovered the eastern portion of the continent of 
America, in five degrees of south latitude. 



ao HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

In 1497, John Cabot and his son Sebastian, and three hun- 
dred men, with two caravals, freighted by the merchants of 
London and Bristol, sailed under a patent of Henry VII. of 
England. The first year he touched at Labrador, and the next 
year at Newfoundland. The first was discovered on the 24th of 
June, and called by them Prima Vista, meaning in Italian, first 
sight. A few days afterwards they discovered a smaller island, 
which they called St. Johns, from the fact that the island was 
discovered on St. John the Baptist's Day, June 24th, 

They then sailed westerly and northerly, to the latitude of 
sixty-seven and a half degrees, expecting to find a passage to 
India, but being disappointed, they turned back and sailed 
along the coast southward to Florida, and from thence returned 
to England. It was upon the discoveries made by this voyage, 
that the English founded their claim to the eastern portion of 
North America. 

Gasper de Cortereal, a Portuguese nobleman, followed in the 
year 1500, and surveyed six or seven hundred miles of the coast 
of Labrador. 

After Americus Vespucius had made his first voyage, he coasted 
a great part of the continent which Columbus had not seen, at 
the expense of the Castilian and Portuguese kings. Although 
Americus was not the first discoverer, yet the name being a 
more common and fitting one, it was adopted as the name of 
the newly discovered continent. It might, with more propriety, 
have been called Cabotia or Sebastiana, from the fact that Sebas- 
tian Cabot discovered more of the continent than both Colum- 
bus or Vespucius, yet Columbus, as the first effectual discoverer, 
deserved the name, both as being the first finder as well as for 
his modesty in not naming it after himself. 

Gasper de Cortereal sailed again, a few years after his first 
voyage, but never returned ; and it was supposed he was mur- 
dered by the natives, in revenge for having carried off a number 
of the natives as slaves on his first voyage. Two expeditions 
which sailed in search of him, were never heard of afterwards. 

The discoveries of Columbus having conferred more benefit 
than those previously made, we desire to speak of him more 
particularly. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 21 

He had early in life applied himself to the study of astronomy 
and geography in his own country, and being possessed of an 
unusual desire to understand the state and condition of all coun- 
tries upon the face of the globe, as well as to make new discov- 
eries for the benefit of mankind and science, and not for any 
advantage pecuniarily or otherwise, that might accrue to him- 
self, as his modesty forbade his assuming honors even where they 
were his just due. 

In order to accomplish his cherished object, and open up new 
countries to the world, he settled at Lisbon, a city of Western 
Europe, and capital of the kingdom of Portugal, and the prov- 
ince of Estremadura, on the right bank of the Tagus, near its 
mouth in the Atlantic ocean. 

His principal object in settling there was in consequence of 
that nation having pushed their discoveries farther at that time 
than any other nation had. While here he employed nearly all 
his time in drawing maps and charts, and preparing himself for 
future enterprises. He married and settled in Lisbon, was of a 
good family, a grave and temperate man, of considerable learn, 
ing, studious in mathematics, and from his youth was brought 
up to understand navigation. 

Columbus was moderately tall and long visaged, his complex- 
ion a good red and white, light eyes, and cheeks somewhat full, 
neither too fat nor too lean. In his youth he had fair hair, 
which turned grey before he was thirty years of age. He was 
moderate in eating and drinking, always dressed in a plain and 
modest manner, naturally grave, but affable to strangers, and 
pleasant even among his domestics, strict and devout in religious 
matters, and though a seaman, was never heard to curse or 
swear. 

What were his particular motives to search after this new 
world, are not certainly known. It has by some been attributed 
to information he had received ; others to his skill in the nature 
of the globe, that made him conclude it probable that there 
must be a tract of land to the westward of Spain, and that it 
was not to be imagined the sun, when it set in the horizon, gave 
light to no other body. 



22 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Whatever gave rise to the project, he resolved to attempt a 
discovery, and being unable to do it at his own expense, he first 
offered his services to the Genoese, next to the King of Portugal. 
Not meeting with encouragement from either, he sent his brother 
Bartholomew to England to offer his service to Henry VII. 
His proposal was approved by King Henry, but the brother on 
his return being taken by pirates, and Columbus receiving no 
answer, left Portugal and went to Spain. On his application 
to Ferdinand and Isabella, King and Queen of Castile and 
Arragon, he succeeded so well that in the year 1492, they 
provided him with money, and entrusted him with three small 
ships for the expedition. He also obtained a grant from them 
as admiral of the western seas. All civil employments, as well 
as governments in the continent or world to be discovered were 
to be wholly at his disposal, and besides the revenues of the 
posts of admiral and viceroy, he was to enjoy a tenth of all the 
profits arising by future conquests. 

His little squadron, manned only with ninety men, set sail 
from Palos for the Canaries the 3d of August, 1492, and arriving 
at those islands the 12th, sailed from thence on the ist of Sep- 
tember on his grand design. He had not sailed a fortnight to 
the westward before his men began to murmur at the enterprise. 
They observed the wind constantly set from east to west, and 
apprehended there would be no possibility of returning if they 
missed the land they were made to expect. On the 19th 
observing birds to fly over their ships, and on the 2 2d weeds 
driving by them, they began to be better satisfied, concluding 
they were not far from land. 

They continued their course several days further westward, 
and meeting with no land, the seamen mutinied to that degree 
that they were almost ready to throw the admiral overboard and 
return home, when happily for him they saw more birds, weeds, 
pieces of boards, canes, and a shrub with the berries upon it, 
swim by them, which made them conjecture there must be 
islands thereabout. 

On the nth of October, about 10 o'clock at night, the 
admiral first discovered a light upon the island of Guanahani,* 

* A bay or harbor, or sea of water. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 23 

or St. Salvador, as he named it, in consideration that the sight 
of it delivered him and his men from the fear of perishing. 
This is one of the Bahama islands, about fifteen leagues long, in 
north latitude fifteen degrees.* 

Day appearing, the ships came to anchor very near the 
island. The natives crowded the shore, and beheld the ships of 
these new comers with astonishment, taking them for living 
creatures. f The admiral believing there was no great danger to 
be apprehended from them, went ashore in his boat with the 
royal standard, as did the other two captains, with their colors 
flying, and took possession of the country in the name of the 
King and Queen of Spain, with great solemnity. The Indians 
meanwhile stood gazing at the Spaniards without attempting to 
oppose them. The admiral ordered strings of glass beads, caps, 
and toys to be distributed among them, with which they seemed 
greatly delighted. 

The principal ornament about them was a thin gold plate in 
the form of a crescent, hanging from the nose over the upper 
lip. The admiral, by signs, asked them from whence they had 
received their gold plates. At which they pointed to the south 
and southwest. 

* The sailor who first discovered land expecting some great reward from the 
King of Spain, when he found out his disappointment, in his rage renounced 
Christianity and turned Mohammedan. 

f One of the River Indians, in his speech at the treaty of Albany, 1754, 
relates the surprise of their forefathers at the sight of the first ship that came 
up the North river in the same manner. His speech, so far as it relates to this 
subject, was as follows : 

" Fathers, we are greatly rejoiced to see you all here. It is by the will of 
heaven that we are met here, and we thank you for this opportunity of seeing 
you altogether, as it is a long while since we had such a one. Fathers 
who sit present here, we will give you a short relation of the long friendship 
which hath subsisted between the white people of this country and us. Our 
forefathers had a castle on this river. As one of them walked out he saw 
somethino- on the river, but was at a loss to know what it was. He took it 
at first for a great fish. He ran into the castle and gave notice to the other 
Indians. Two of our forefathers went to see what it was, and found it a 
vessel with men in it. They immediately joined hands with the people in the 
vessel and became friends." 



24^ HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

He rowed in his boats around the island to see if there was 
anything worth his while to settle there. 

Everywhere he went he was followed by the natives, who 
seemed to admire him, and looked upon his people as some- 
thing more than human. 

From this island he coasted southward about one hundred and 
eighty leagues, in search of the gold, when he discovered 
another island, which he called Hispaniola, where his ship 
struck on a hidden rock and was lost, and he and his crew were 
taken on board of one of the other vessels. The natives at this 
island, through fear, fled from him ; but taking one of their 
women, treating her kindly, and then letting her go back among 
them, she brought numbers to traffic among them, after which 
they all seemed peaceably disposed, and Columbus, finding there 
was gold in this island, by the aid of the natives, built a fort, 
and left thirty-nine men in it, with provisions for an entire year, 
seeds to sow, and trinkets to trade with the natives. 

After discovering a good part of the north and east coast of 
Hispaniola, trading with the Indians, and near three months' 
stay in the island, he bent his course homewards, and arrived at 
Palos, in Andalusia, early in the spring of 1492-3, having per- 
formed the voyage in seven months and eleven days. Here the 
people received him with a solemn procession and thanksgiving 
for his return, most of his seamen belonging to that port. 

The King and Queen were at Barcelona, and when the admiral 
drew near that city, the court went out to meet him, and 
received him with the honors due to a sovereign prince. Colum- 
bus afterwards made several voyages to America.* 

The fame of the discovery, and of the rich cargoes brought 
to Old Spain, at several times, from the newly discovered coun- 
try, becoming spread through other countries, gave rise to addi- 
tional adventurers. The next attempt was made by Sebastian 
Cabot, a Venetian by extraction, but born in England, and who 
had given much time to the study of navigation, and was well 
skilled in cosmography. 

*He died in the city of Validolid, in Spain, in the spring of 1506, and was 
buried in the cathedral of Seville, with this inscription on his tomb: " That 
Columbus had given a new world to Castile and Leon." 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. ' 25 

He believed in sailing by the northwest, a shorter passage than 
that lately discovered by the Cape of Good Hope might be 
found to the West Indies, and Henry VII. fitted out two ships 
to aid him in making the discovery. 

In the beginning of the summer of 1497 he sailed from Lis- 
bon, and steering his course northwest, came upon land about 
sixty degrees north latitude, supposed to be Greenland, but per- 
ceiving that the land still ran north, he changed his course, in 
hopes of finding a passage in less latitude. About the fiftieth degree 
he saw that which is now well known by the name of Newfound- 
land. Here he took three of the natives, and coasted south- 
ward, to the latitude of thirty-eight degrees,* but his provisions 
growing scarce, and expecting no supplies there, he returned to 
England, where the natives he brought lived a considerable 
time.f 

From this voyage and discovery made by Cabot, the English, 
under the law of nations, claimed the country — that whatever 
waste or uncultivated country is discovered, it is the right of 
that prince who had been at the charge of the discovery. This, 
from universal law, gave at least a right of pre-emption, and 
was good against all but Indian proprietors. 

We have seen in the discovery of North and South America, 
that inhabitants were found at the places touched at. How these 
people originally came there, is a question not easily solved. 

*Mar\'land. 

fKing Henry VII. commissioned John Cabot (5th of March, in the elev- 
enth year of his reign) and his three sons to sail in quest of unknown lands^ 
and to annex them to the crown of England, with this clause : " Which before 
this time have been unknown to all Christians." His first design was to dis- 
cover a northwest passage to Cathay or China. In this voyage he sailed very 
far eastward, on the north side of Labrador. In his next voyage, which was 
made in company with his son Sebastian, in 1497, he steered to the south of 
Labrador, and fell in with the island of Baccalaos, or Newfoundland, and 
took possession both of that island and all the coast of the northeast part of 
America as far as Cape Florida, which he also claimed in the name of the 
King of England. Sebastian drew a map of the whole coast of North 
America. This map was hung up in His Majesty's privy-gallery at Whitehall, 
and was destroyed by fire at the burning of the gallery in King William's 
reign. 



26 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

All therefore, that can be done, is to give a short view of the 
most probable conjectures that have been hitherto offered.* 

It is not unlikely the new world was known to the Phenicians, 
even a considerable time before the days of Plato, who, in all 
likelihood, found but few (if any) inhabitants there. That they 
contributed towards the planting of it, we have found some 
reason to believe, as they are supposed to have made three voya- 
ges thither ; that colonies from other nations crossed the Atlan- 
tic, and landed in America, cannot be well denied. Neither 
the Egyptians nor Carthagenians are supposed void of some tra- 
ditional knowledge of America, since they are believedf to have 
communicated such knowledge to other nations, which, if we 
admit the truth of the above, it would naturally follow that 
some of the ancient Egyptians and Carthagenians had been 
here, and contributed towards the peopling of this continent, as 
well as the Phenicians. 

The author of de Mirabilibus Audit, supposed to be Aristotle, 
expressly asserts that the Carthagenians discovered an island 
beyond Hercules' pillars, abounding with all necessaries, to 
which they frequently sailed, and several of them had fixed 
their habitations there ; but, adds he, the Senate would not per- 
mit their subjects to go thither any more, lest it should prove 
the depopulation of their own country. 

It has been said that several of the original American nations 
rent their garments , the more effectually to express their grief on 
any melancholy. The Hebrews, Persians, Greeks, Sabines, and 
Latins, according to various authors, did the same, from whence 
some imagine that those Americans deduced their origin from 
one or more of those nations, but this is two slender a founda- 
tion upon which to build such a belief. J Menasseh Ben Israel 

*Voltaire says : " If we are not astonished that the discoverers found flies 
in America, it is absurd to wonder that they should meet with men." — [Univ. 
Hist. 

•j-Perizonias and Cellarius seem to have inferred from thence, that the new 
world was not entirely unknown to the remoter ages of antiquity. 

JWilliam Penn, in his letter to the committee of the Free Society of 
Traders, in London, in 1683, gives a short sketch of his opinion, touching the 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 27 

concluded that the Israelites were the progenitors of the aborig- 
inal Americans. 

Though the Phenicians, Egyptians, and Carthagenians might 
have planted some colonies, yet the bulk of the inhabitants must 
certainly have deduced their origin from another part of the 
world. Had the Phenicians and Egyptians peopled even a con- 
siderable part of America, it would scarcely have been taken so 
little notice of by the ancients, even supposing those nations 
had industriously endeavored to conceal their western discover- 
ies, for in such case there must have been a constant communi- 
cation kept open between America, Egypt, and Phenicia, and a 
very extensive trade carried on. So that many particulars relat- 
ing to the new world, must necessarily have transpired ; nor could 
even the sailors themselves, who navigated the Phenician ships, 
have omitted divulging many accounts of what they observed 
on this continent, some of which would undoubtedly have been 
transmitted to us. 

We are inclined to the belief that the inhabitants of this con- 
tinent were descended from a people who inhabited a country 
not so far distant as Egypt and Phenicia, the most probable of 
which is the northeastern part of Asia, particularly Tartary, 
Siberia, and the peninsula of Kamschatka, which was probably 
the tract through which many Tartarian colonies passed into 
America, and peopled the most considerable portion of it. 

California, the .most western of our states, being contiguous 
to, and no very great distance from the northeastern part of Asia, 
and east of Kamschatka, is a tract approaching to America. 

It is also supposed that Asia and America were formerly con- 
nected by an isthmus, which might have been destroyed by an 

earthquake. . 

The latter supposition may be supported by the authority ol 
those writers who have rendered parallel cases creditable— such 
as the disjunction of Britain from Gaul, and Spain from the 
African continent. 



origin of the Indians here, whom he imagines to be descended from the Jews; 
that after the dispersion of the ten tribes, they emigrated through the easter- 
most parts of Asia, to the westermost parts of America. 



28 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

A communication between Asia and America seems to agree 
with truth, not only from what has been advanced by Reland 
and other writers, but from the discoveries made by the Russians, 
given in their public prints of the year 1737, in which we find 
that some of the Czarina's subjects touched at several islands, 
which lie at a distance in the eastern direction from Japan and 
Kamschatka, and consequently between those countries and 
America. 

As early as 1749, Leonard Enler, professor of mathematics, 
and member of the Imperial Society of Petersburgh, conceived 
the idea that the northwestern cape of Asia, discovered by 
Capt. Behring, was not thirty degrees off the last known head- 
land of California. 

M. de Guignes informs us, in a memoir upon the ancient 
navigations of the Chinese to America, that though they have 
always been believed to have been confined within the bounds 
of their own country, yet they penetrated into America in the 
year 458 of the Christian era, and that Christopher Columbus 
was not the first who attempted discoveries towards the west. 
That long before him the Arabians, while they were masters of 
Spain and Portugal, enterprised the same thing from Lisbon, but 
after having advanced to the far west, they were obliged to put 
back to the Canaries. There they learned that formerly the in- 
habitants of these islands had sailed towards the west for a month 
together, to discover new countries. 

Thus we see that the most barbarous people without the 
knowledge of the compass, were not afraid to expose themselves 
to the open sea in their slight, small vessels, and that it was not 
so difficult for them to get over to America as we imagine. 

In a history of Kamschatka, published in 1765, and trans- 
lated into English by J. Grieve, M. D., we find a particular 
description of the customs and ways of living of the inhabitants 
there, which agrees in several particulars, and upon the whole 
seems not very different from the original customs of the North 
American Indians. 

In 1524, John Verrazzano, a Florentine, sailed to America 
and proceeded along the coast from Florida to' the fiftieth 
degree of north latitude, and entered the harbor of New York. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 29 

In 1534, James Cartier commanded a fleet fitted out in 
France under direction of the French King for the purpose of 
making further discoveries in America, and arrived at New- 
foundland in May of that year. He thence sailed northerly, 
when he found himself in a broad river or gulf, which he 
named St. Lawrence, as it was discovered by him on the day of 
the festival of that Saint. He sailed up the St. Lawrence until 
he came to a swift fall. This country he called New France, 
and his was the first attempt of the French to form a settlement 
in America. 

In 1539, the Spaniards made an attempt to form by conquest 
a settlement within the limits of the United States. Fernando 
de Soto, Governor of Cuba, sailed from Havana with nine 
vessels, nine hundred men besides sailors, two hundred and 
thirteen horses, and a herd of swine, and landed at Espirito 
Santo, in Florida. He expected to find mines and plenty of 
gold, but was disappointed. The natives opposed him, and he 
was often deluded by them. 

He crossed the Alleghany mountains, and wintered in the 
Chickasaw country. Then crossed the Mississippi river. He 
wandered about, and was exposed to many hardships. Famine 
overtook him, and he suffered severely from the opposition of 
the natives. He finally died near the mouth of the Red river. 
Those of his men that remained, passed down the Mississippi 
river and arrived at Panuco, in Mexico, in September, 1543- 
More than half of his men perished during the expedition of 
four years in the wilderness. 

In 1562, during the civil war between the Protestants and 
Catholics in France, Admiral Coligny formed a project of 
carrying a colony of Protestants to America that they might 
enjoy religious freedom. He easily obtained permission of the 
French King, who was anxious to get rid of his Huguenot or 
Protestant subjects. 

The admiral fitted out two ships, and under the command of 
John Ribault, they landed within the limits of South Carolina, 
built a fort and garrisoned it with twenty men, after which he 
returned to France. 



30 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

After he had left, the company mutinied and killed their 
captain for his severity. 

They suffered the most extreme privations, and were so. re- 
duced in circumstances that they were compelled to leave, and 
fitting out a vessel they embarked with swch things as they 
could. After having been out several weeks their provisions 
were exhausted, so that they were obliged to kill and eat one 
of their number who offered himself as a victim to satisfy their 
hunger. 

They were a few days afterwards picked up by an English 
vessel and carried to England. 

In 1564, Laudoniere, a Frenchman, carried a colony to 
Florida, where he erected a fortification on the river May, 
which he called Fort Caroline. 

The following year, Ribault, who was sent to supersede Lau- 
doniere, arrived in Florida with seven vessels. He took all the 
best men from the fort and started on an expedition against the 
Spaniards, leaving Laudoniere in the fort without adequate 
means of defense. At the same time, Melandez, under King 
Philip II. of Spain, was on his way to Florida with a fleet and 
army for the purpose of driving out the Huguenots and settling 
it with Catholics. He massacred Ribault and all his company, 
except Laudoniere and a few others who escaped to France. 
Melendez built three forts on the river May, and garrisoned 
them with Spanish soldiers. He then proceeded south, and 
discovered the harbor of St. Augustine where he built a city, 
the oldest city within the limits of the United States, east of 
the Mississippi river. 

In 1579, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, under the patronage of 
Queen Elizabeth, made an attempt at colonization in America. 
In his first attempt he was unsuccessful, and was obliged to 
return. In his second attempt, he reached Newfoundland, and 
took possession of the country in the name of his sovereign. 
He sailed southwesterly to the mouth of the Kennebec. There 
he lost the largest of his three vessels, and all the crew perished. 
He then set his face toward England, but hie little bark sunk 
upon the voyage, and he was heard of no more. 

Although the English had very early made the discovery of 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 31 

North America, a considerable time elapsed before any advan- 
tages accrued. 

In 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh was the first Englishman who 
attempted to plant a colony in it.* 

In this year he obtained a patent from Queen Elizabeth, for 
him and his heirs, to discover and possess forever, under the 
crown of England, all such countries and lands as were not then 
possessed by any Christian prince, or inhabited by Christian 
people. Encouraged by this grant, Raleigh and others fitted 
out ships at different times, and the first colony they settled was 
at Roanore,* in Virginia, but afler various attempts at forming 
a settlement there, they met with such discouragements that it 
was some time afterwards before many improvements were made. 

In 1606, without regard to Raleigh's patent. King James 
granted a new patent of Virginia, in which was included what 
is now the New England States, New York, New Jersey, Penn- 
sylvania, and Maryland. From Queen Elizabeth's time, 1584, 
to the time this patent was granted, the whole country bore the 
name given it by Raleigh, it is said in honor of his virgin mis- 
tress, the Queen of England, while others assert it was because 
of its virgin soil, never having been settled before. The persons 
to whom this last patent was granted were Sir Thomas Gates, 
Fir George Somers, Richard Hakluyt, clerk, Edward Maria 
Wingfield, Thomas Hanham, Richard Gilbert, Esqs., William 
Parker, George Popham, Lord Chief Justice of England, and 
others. The extent of the land granted was from thirty-four to 
forty-five degrees of north latitude, with all the islands lying 
within one hundred miles of the coast. 

Two distinct colonies were to be planted by virtue of this 
patent, and the property to be vested in two different bodies of 
adventurers. The first was to belong to Somers, Hackluyt, and 
Wingfield, under title of the London Adventurers or London 

* That is, a regular colony under grants. Sir Amigell Wadd, of Yorkshire, 
Clerk of the Council to Henry VIII. and Edward VI., and author of a book 
of travels, was the first Englishman that made discoveries in America. 

f Nov/ Roanoke. 



32 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Company, and was to reach from thirty-four to forty-one degrees, 
with all lands, woods, mines, minerals, &c. 

The other colony was to reach from the end of the first to 
forty-five degrees, and granting the same privileges to Hanham, 
Gilbert, Parker, and Popham as he had to the others. This was 
called the Plymouth Company. Both parties were privileged to 
take in with them as many partners as they chose, and all others 
were forbidden to plant within the bounds granted to them 
.without first obtaining their license therefor. One-fifth part of 
all gold and silver mines, and the fifteenth part of all copper 
mines, were reserved to the use of the crown. 

Under this grant the London Company fitted out several ships, 
with artificers of every kind, and everything necessary for a new 
settlement, and at once set out for America and planted a 
colony there. 

In 1623, there were so many complaints of bad management, 
that on inquiry a quo warranto was issued against the patent, 
and after a trial had in the king's bench it was declared for- 
feited, after which Virginia came under the immediate direction 
of the crown. 

The Plymouth Company also attempted to make a settlement 
the same year that their patent was granted, but met with poor 
success until about the year 1620, when another colony arrived 
from England, under command of Capt. Miles Standish. They 
arrived at Cape Cod, in the latitude of forty-two degrees, and 
having turned the cape, found a commodious harbor opposite 
the point, at the mouth of the bay, at the entrance to which 
were two islands well stocked with wood. Here they built a 
town which they called Plymouth. This greatly augmented the 
colonies in New England. Multitudes of dissenters, thinking 
this a good opportunity of enjoying liberty of conscience, offered 
their services to the Plymouth Company, and the grand patent 
having been delivered up to the king, other patents were granted 
to Lord Musgrave, the Duke of Richmond, the Earl of Carlisle, 
Lord Edward Gorges, and new colonies were planted in divers 
places. 

Under the commission given to John Cabot and his son 
Sebastian, they were authorized to discover the isles, regions 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 33 

and provinces of the heathen and infidels, which had been un- 
known to ,all the nations of Christendom, in whatever part of 
the globe they might be placed." And therefore wherever they 
landed, they took possession of the country in the name of the 
King of England. In the charter granted to Sir Walter Raleigh 
by Queen Elizabeth of England, in 1584, he was empowered to 
discover, occupy, and govern '' remote, heathen, and barbarous 
countries" which had not been in possession previously of any 
Christian prince or people. The ships sent out by Raleigh 
under this commission were commanded by Amidas and Barlow. 

In 1585, and again in 1609, they endeavored to establish 
settlements in Virginia, in both of which they were unsuccessful. 

The patent granted by King James, in 1606, for Virginia, 
extended from the southern boundary of North Carolina to the 
northern boundary of Maine, and it was divided into two dis- 
tricts, called North and South Virginia. The southern they 
called the London Company, and was granted to Sir Thomas 
Gates and his associates, while the northern was granted to 
Thomas Hanham and his associates, and was styled the Ply- 
mouth Company. 

c 



CHAPTER II. 

1609 — 1664.^ 

Extent of lands contamed in first patent — Dutch and Swedes — 
Speech to the Indians in behalf of the Queen of Sweden — Tlicir 
approval — First name of New Jersey — Surrender of the Prov- 
ince by the Dutch. 

IT is evident from the foregoing, that the colonies of New 
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, were includ- 
ed in the great patent last mentioned, but after it had become 
void, the crown was at liberty to regrant the same to others, 
but it does not appear that any part of those provinces were 
settled by virtue thereof; neither was any distinct discovery of 
them made until many years afterwards. 

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the other adjacent lands, not- 
withstanding the ancient right of the crown of England, had 
two pretenders — the Dutch and Swedes. 

The claim set up by the Dutch, was under color of a discov- 
ery in the year 1609, by Henry Hudson, an Englishman, com- 
mander of a ship called the Half Moon, and fitted out from 
Holland, by the East India Company, for the purpose of discov- 
ering, by a northwest passage, a nearer way to China. 

In this voyage, he sailed up as far as New York City, and con- 
tinuing his course up the river, by him called Hudson's river, as 
far as Albany. 

Returning to Amsterdam some time after, the Dutch pre- 
tended to have purchased the chart he had made of the Ameri- 
can coast, and having obtained a patent from the States, in the 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 35 

year 161 4, to trade in New England, they settled in New York, 
which place they called New Netherland. 

New York City was called by them New Amsterdam, and the 
island they called Manhattan. 

The Dutch kept possession until Sir Samuel Argole, governor 
of Virginia, disputed their title upon the ground that the coun- 
try having been discovered by an Englishman, in right of his 
master he could not suffer it to be alienated from the crown 
without consent of the King. He therefore compelled the 
Dutch colony to submit to him, and to hold it under the English. 
But some time after, a new governor arriving from Amsterdam, 
they not only neglected to pay their usual acknowledgment to 
the governor of Virginia, but in the year 1623, they fortified 
their colony by building several forts. 

On the Delaware* they built one near Gloucester, in the 
province of New Jersey, which they called Fort Nassau ; a sec- 
ond one on the Hudson river,f near Albany, which they called 
Fort Orange, in the province of New York ; and a third on 
Connecticut river,J which they named the Hirsse of Good 
Hope. 

These settlers, being merchants, at the same time they built 
their forts, erected trading-houses at Forts Nassau and Orange. 

As the Hudson river lay near the sea, and the navigation 
being esteemed by them less difficult than the Delaware, 
their settlements were chiefly built on both sides of the 
former river, at the entrance of which the town, called by them 
New Amsterdam, was built, so that by the time the Swedes came 
to America, they had abandoned the lands adjacent to the Dela- 
ware, and wholly settled upon the Hudson river. 

The manner in which the Dutch had taken possession of the 
country, and had built their forts, was communicated to King 
Charles I.; such pressure, by his embassadors at the Hague, 
was brought to bear upon him, that the States were compelled 
to disown having given any authority for what the Dutch had 

*Called by them South River. 
•j-North River. 
JCalled Fresh River. 



3$ HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

done, when the whole blame was laid upon the East India Com- 
pany. 

King Charles then gave a commission to Sir George Calvert, 
afterwards made Lord Baltimore,* to possess and plant that 
part of America, now called Maryland ; and to Sir Edmond 
Loeyden or Ployden, to plant the northern parts toward New 
England. 

The Dutch, being afraid of the power of the English, mani- 
fested at once their willingness to leave their plantations, pro- 
vided the English would give them ^2500 as compensation for 
the amounts they had expended. 

Soon after this. King Charles, being involved in trouble, was 
unable to give to his colonies the support they needed. They 
therefore not only relinquished their first proposals, but fur- 
nished the natives with arms, and taught them the use of them, 
that by their assistance they might dispossess the English and 
render themselves secure. 

In the year 1626, during the reign of Gustavus Adolphus, the 
first settlement by the Swedes here began to be agitated in their 
own country. In this year William Useling, an eminent mer- 
chant of Stockholm, in Sweden, having learned of its fertile 
lands, abounding in all kinds of fruits, with all the necessaries 
of life, gave his countrymen a glowing account of the country, 
and endeavored to persuade his people to settle a colony here. 

*" About the year 1620, while George Calvert, afterwards Lord Baltimore, 
was Secretary of State to James I., he obtained a patent for him and his 
heirs to be absolute lord and proprietor (with the royalties of a Count Pala- 
tine) of the province of Avalon, in Newfoundland, which was named by him 
from Avalon in Somersetshire, wherein Glastenberry stands the first Iruits of 
Christianity in Britain, as the other was in that part of America. There he 
built a fine house in Ferryland, and spent twenty-five thousand pounds in 
advancing this new plantation. After the death of King James, he went 
twice in peraon to Newfoundland. Finding his plantation very much exposed 
to the insults of the French, he was at last forced to abandon it, whereupon he 
went over to Virginia, and after having viewed these parts, came to England 
and obtained from King Charles, who had as great regard and affection for 
him as King James, a patent to him and his heirs, for Maryland, that King 
naming it in honor of his beloved Queen, Henrietta MARIA." [Biogr. Britania, 
Art. George Calvert. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 37 

Through the influence of Useling, his monarch issued a proc- 
lamation at Stockholm, exhorting his subjects to contribute to 
a company for the accomplishment of this purpose. This 
was called the West India Company, and was confirmed by that 
Prince. The General Assembly raised sums of money to carry 
on the intended settlement, to which the King, his lords of the 
council, the chief of his barons, knights, coronets, the principal 
officers of his army, bishops, clergy, and many of the common 
people of Swedeland, Finland, and Liffland contributed, and 
persons of responsibility were chosen to see that the proposition 
was put in execution. 

The persons who composed this commission were an admiral, 
a vice-admiral, merchants, manufacturers, and others, repre- 
senting the principal interests of the kingdom. 

It was proposed to get as many as they should think proper, 
who would voluntarily accompany them to America, to settle 
and cultivate a colony there, and in 1627 the Swedes and Finns 
came over. 

They first landed at Cape Inlopen, or Henlopen,* at which 
they were so well pleased that they called it Paradise Point ; 
after which they purchased from some Indians the land from 
Cape Inlopen to the Falls of the Delaware,f on both sides of 
the river, which they called New Swedeland stream. They 
made presents to the Indian chiefs, for the purpose of obtaining 
peaceable possession of the lands so purchased ; but the Dutch 
still continuing their pretensions, in 1630, David Peters de 
Vries built a fort within the capes of Delaware on the west, and 
about two leagues from Cape Cornelius, at the place sometimes 
called Lewistown and at other times called Hoarkill. 

In 1 63 1, the Swedes also built a fort on the west of the Del- 
aware, to which they gave the name of Christeen.l Peter 
Lindstrom, their engineer, laid out at this place a small town, at 

* At the entrance of Delaware Bay, in Delaware. 

•j- Where Trenton now stands. 

X This place is now called Christiana, and is abont ten mile* from Wil- 
mincrton. 



38 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

which they formed their first settlement ; it was afterwards de- 
molished by the Dutch. 

The Swedes erected another fort on an island called by them 
Tennecum, about sixteen miles above the town of Christeen, 
which they called New Gottenburgh. 

Their Governor, John Printz, built a fine house with all 
suitable accommodations ; he planted an orchard, and called 
his settlement Printz's Hall. The principal part of the people 
also had their plantations on this island. 

About this time the Swedes also built forts at Chester and 
other places. In the same year Chancellor Oxestiern, an am- 
bassador from Sweden, made application to King Charles I. to 
have the right claimed by the English, as being the first dis- 
coverers, yielded up. They also alleged they had purchased the 
pretence claimed by the Dutch by virtue of prior settlement 
and buildings here, most of which were destroyed before their 
arrival. 

If this be true, the Dutch did not think proper long to abide 
by their contract, but gave trouble to the Swedes by encroach- 
ing upon their new settlements, and both of them joined 
together to dispossess the English, who also attempted to settle 
the eastern side of the Delaware river. 

Kieft, a director of the States of Holland, assisted by the 
Swedes then in the colony, drove the English away, and hired 
the Swedes to keep them out. The Dutch complained that the 
Swedish governor, judging this a fitting opportunity, built fort 
Elsingburgh on the place from whence the English had been 
driven, and used great freedom with their vessels and all persons 
bound up the river, making them repair to the fort, and sent 
persons on board to know from whence they came. The Dutch 
considered this as using undue authority, especially in a country 
not their own. 

They found the musquitoes so numerous that they were 
unable to live here, and therefore removing, they named the 
place Musketoeburgh. 

The Dutch seem to have had a very great opinion as re- 
gards the land near the Delaware, and were greatly dis- 
tressed lest they should be dispossessed by the English, who. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 39 

they complained, had upon several occasions attempted to settle 
about that river, and thought if they once got a footing there 
would soon secure every part, so that neither Hollander or 
Swede would have any thing to say here. In particular they 
mention Sir Edmond Ployden, as claiming property in the 
country under a grant from King James I., who, they allege 
declined any dispute with them, but threatened to give the Swedes 
a visit in order to dispossess them. 

John Printz continued governor of the Swedes from his 
arrival until about the year 1654, when he returned to Sweden 
having first deputed his son-in-law, John Papegoia, governor 
in his stead, who also some time after returned to his native 
country, and left the government to John Rysing. He renewed 
the league of friendship with the English and Dutch in the 
neighborhood, and formally with the Indians. For this purpose 
a meeting was held with the sachems or Indian Chiefs at Printz's 
Hall, on Tennecum Island, where a speech was made them in 
behalf of the Queen of Sweden, expressing the desire of the 
Swedes to renew their friendship. The Indians had before 
made complaint that the Swedes had introduced much evil 
amongst them, because many of the Indians, since their coming, 
were dead ; but the Swedes now making them considerable 
presents, which were received and divided among them, one of 
their chiefs, whose name was Noaman, made a speech, rebuking 
the rest for having spoken evil of the Swedes and done them 
harm, telling them that they should do so no more; that the 
Swedes were a good people, and thanking them for their 
presents, promised for the future that a more strict friendship 
should be observed between them. That as formerly they had 
been but one body and one heart, they should be henceforth as 
one head, in token of which he waves both his hands as if tying 
a strong knot ; promising also that if they heard of any mischief 
plotting against the Swedes, although it were midnight, they 
would give them notice, and desired the like notice from the 
Swedes if they understood harm was intended them. The 
Swedes then desiring the Indians in general would give them 
some signal that they all assented to what was said, they gave 
a general shout of approbation, and in the conclusion were 



40 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

entertained by the Swedes with victuals and drink. This league 
was kept faithfully on the part of the Indians. 

The Swedish ships sent to succor this new colony, was ob- 
structed in their intended voyage by the Spaniards, and they 
being unable for want of money to keep their forts in repair, 
gave their more powerful neighbors, the Dutch, opportunities, 
with less danger, to make encroachments upon them. 

Accordingly, the Dutch this year who inhabited the neigh- 
borhood of Virginia and New Sweden, gave great disturbance 
to the Swedes, and tried to regain the forts they had formerly 
possessed. 

But by means of the Swedish governor and Peter Stuyvesant, 
who commanded under the Dutch at New Amsterdam, it was ap- 
parently settled ; yet, in the year following, the Dutch fitted out 
several vessels from New Amsterdam, with six or seven hundred 
men, who in the summer, under the command of Stuyvesant, 
came up the Delaware and established their first quarters at 
Elsingburgh, where they took some of the Swedes prisoners. 

They next sailed towards a fort called Holy Trinity, and hav- 
ing landed their men at a point near the place, and entrenched 
themselves, they soon after went up to the fort and demanded a 
surrender, and threatened what they would do in case of refusal. 
After this, by treaty or otherwise, they gained possession of the 
land, took down the Swedish flag and hoisted their own, secur- 
ing all places with their soldiers, and sent the Swedes they had 
taken prisoners on board their vessels. 

This acquisition was deemed of considerable importance be- 
cause this fort was considered as the key of New Sweden. 

On the 2d of September, they besieged Christiana, fort and 
town ; destroyed New Gottemburg, with such houses as were 
outside of the fort ; plundered the inhabitants of what they had, 
and killed their cattle. 

The Swedes endeavored to pursuade the Dutch to desist from 
their acts of hostility, but to no purpose. After a siege of four- 
teen days they, being in want of ammunition, were obliged to 
surrender upon the best terms they could obtain, which were 
" that all the great guns should be restored, and that they could 
march out of the fort with their colors flying, and drums beat- 
ing," which was a great gratification to the Swedes. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 41 

The officers and other principal inhabitants among the 
Swedes, were carried prisoners to New Amsterdam, and taken 
from thence to Holland. The common people, consenting to 
submit to the rule of the Dutch, were allowed to remain in the 
country. 

From this time until 1064, New Sweden and New Netherland 
continued in possession of, and under the government of the 
Dutch, who, on Manhattan Island, at the mouth of the Hudson 
river, had built a city called by them New Amsterdam (New 
York), and the river they sometimes called the Great river. 

About one hundred and fifty miles up they built a fort, and 
called it Orange (Albany), from which place they drove a profit- 
able trade with the Indians, who came overland as far up as 
Quebec, to deal with them. 

The first bounds of New York, were Maryland on the south ; 
the mainland, as far as could be discovered, westward ; the 
river of Canada (St. Lawrence), and New England, eastward. 
But the limits of this province, by the grants afterwards, were 
reduced into a much narrower compass. 

The province now called Nova Csesaria or New Jersey, was so 
called in compliment to Sir George Carteret, one of the pro- 
prietors and a Jerseyman.* 

We are not informed of the precise time when the first 
English settlements were made in this State, though it is sup- 
posed that the Danes, or Norwegians, who came over with the 
Dutch colonists, and first commenced a settlement at New York 
about the year 161 8, were the first to commence a settlement at 
Bergen, in this State. As early as 161 4, an attempt was made to 
form a settlement at Jersey City, that point being fortified. 

In 1623, the Dutch West India Company sent a ship with set- 
tlers and articles of trade, under comrfiand of Capt. Cornelius 
Jacobse Mey. He entered the Delaware bay, and gave his own 
name to its northern cape. He then sailed up the river as far 
as Gloucester, and built fort Nassau. This was undoubtedly the 
first attempt to establish a settlement in this State. Great induce- 

*It is said for some liule time, at first, to have borne the name of New 
Canary, The Indian name was Scheyichlie. 



42 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

merits and advantages were offered by the Dutch West India 
Company to all who would undertake to establish a settlement 
on the eastern shore of the Delaware. Charters were granted 
to individuals, giving them exclusive title to large tracts of 
land, subject only to Indian claims. 

This being considered a great privilege, quite a number took 
advantage of it, and sent over agents to purchase lands for them. 
They formed an association to settle the lands, but when De 
Vries, their agent, arrived here, he found none of the Europeans 
who preceded him, and the fort (Nassau) he found . had fallen 
into the hands of the Indians. He immediately erected a fort, 
landed his passengers, and returned to Holland. 

On the 28th of August, 1609, Henry Hudson entered Dela- 
ware bay, under the patronage of the Dutch East India Com- 
pany. The water being shoal, he found the navigation rather 
difficult, and therefore did not proceed in that direction but a 
short distance. With his vessel, the Half Moon, he followed 
the eastern shore of our State, and anchored within Sandy 
Hook, on the 3d of September, 1609, and on the 5th he sent 
his boat ashore for the purpose of exploring and sounding the 
waters within Sandy Hook. His men landed and proceeded 
some distance into the woods of Monmouth county. 

They were well received by the natives, who presented them 
green tobacco and dried currants, which existed there in great 
quantities. 

When Captain Mey had entered Delaware bay, in 1623, he 
gave his own name to its most northern cape, which is still 
retained. He next explored the bay and river, and having 
landed, he built a fort at Techaaco, upon Timber creek, called 
at that time by the natives Sassachon. This creek is located in 
the county of Gloucester, and empties into the Delaware river. 

The Dutch having obtained possession of the country on the 
Delaware, the governor of the colony appointed directors to 
govern the settlements. 

Johannes Paul Jaquet was the first director ; next to him was 
Peter Alricks, Hinojossa, and William Beekman. The patents 
to the lands granted by these directors are still part of the titles 
of the present owners. The Dutch, at this time, also obtained 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 43 

large tracts on the eastern part of New Jersey, and formed other 
settlements between the Delaware and Hudson rivers. 

The English never relinquished their claim, but held it as 
being the prior discoverers to the Dutch, but the latter, assisted 
by the Swedes, resisted all attempts of the English to form set- 
tlements here. They destroyed their trading houses, confiscated 
their goods, and imprisoned the English settlers, which caused 
long and angry controversies between the New England and 
Dutch governments. 

King Charles the II., fearing the ill consequences, should a 
Dutch colony be allowed in his dominions, determined to dis- 
possess them, and in order to accomplish his purpose, gave a 
patent to his brother, the Duke of York, in which were included 
the provinces of New York, New Jersey, and all other lands 
thereunto appertaining, with power to govern the same. 

The reign of the Duke was not sufificiently enterprising to 
insure success, and therefore the interest he had in his newly 
acquired possessions did not avail him much ; besides, he had a 
stroiig aversion to the Dutch ; he was therefore compelled to 
resort to military stratagem to hold possession of his provinces. 

Before there was any formal declaration of war with Holland, 
Sir Robert Carre was sent to America, with a small fleet and 
some land forces, to put the Duke in possession of the country. 
His commission was dated April 26th, 1664, and it was some- 
time after this that a formal declaration of war with Holland 
was made. The Dutch in this country, being unprovided for 
defence against a royal squadron accompanied by land forces, 
rendered the expedition a safe and easy one. 

Col. Richard Nicholls, George Cartwright, and Samuel Mev- 
erike joined with Carre in this commission to dislodge the 
Dutch. 

They arrived at the Hudson river in the latter part of 1664, 
and the time of their arrival was so soon after the date of the 
patent of the Duke of York, that the Dutch had but very little 
notice* of their design, and therefore no time to prepare for 
their defence. 

* The first notice they had was from Thomas Willet, an Englishman, about 
six weeks before their arrival. 



44 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The land forces consisted of three hundred men, under com- 
mand of Col. Nicholls. 

The Dutch Governor,* an accomplished soldier, who had lost 
a leg in service, was totally unprepared for this sudden and 
unexpected attack, and being aware also of the defects in the 
title by which the Dutch held the lands, and their present 
incapacity for defence, was easily prevailed upon to surrender. 

When the English arrived at New Amsterdam, they issued 
the following proclamation, which was circulated through the 
country, in order to show the design they had in view in coming 
into the country. 

"By His Majesty's Co>bla.nd : 

"Forasmuch as His Majesty hath sent us by commission, 
under his great seal of England, amongst other things, to expel 
or to reduce to His Majesty's obedience all such foreigners as 
have, without His Majesty's leave and consent, seated them- 
selves amongst any of his dominions in America, to the preju- 
dice of His Majesty's subjects and the diminution of his ro^-al 
dignity, we. His Majesty's Commissioners, do declare and 
promise that whosoever, of what nation soever, will, upon 
knowledge of this proclamation, acknowledge and testify them- 
selves to submit to His Majesty's government, as his good 
subjects ought to do, shall be protected by His Majesty's laws 
and justice, and peaceably enjoy whatsoever God's blessing and 
their own honest industry have furnished them with, and all 
other privileges with His Majesty's English subjects. We have 
caused this to be published, that we might prevent all incon- 
veniences to others ; if it were possible, however, to clear our- 
selves from the charge of all those miseries that an}Tvay may 
befall such as live here, and will not acknowledge His Majesty 
for their sovereign. Whom God preserve." 

Immediately upon notice of the arrival of the English in the 
bay, Stuyvesant, the Dutch Governor, dispatched the following 
letter : 

♦Peter Stuyvesant. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 45 

*' Right Honorable Sirs : 

"Whereas we have received intelligence that, about three 
days since, there arrived an English man-of-war, or frigate, in 
the bay of the North river, belonging to the New Netherlands ; 
and since that three more are arrived, by what order or pretence 
is unknown to us ; and having received various reports concern- 
ing their arrival upon this coast, and not being apt to entertain any 
prejudice intended against us, have, by order of the commander 
in chief of the New Netherlands, thought it convenient and 
requisite to send the worshipful, the bearer hereof, that is to say, 
the worshipful John Declyer, one of the chief council ; the Rev. 
John Megapolensis, minister ; Paul Lendelvandergrist, mayor of 
this town, and have joined with them Mr. Samuel Megapolensis, 
doctor in physick, whom by these presents I have appointed 
and ordered, that with the utmost respect and civility, they do 
desire and .entreat of the commander in chief of the aforesaid 
men-of-war or frigates, the intent and meaning of their approach, 
and continuing in the harbor of Naijacly, without giving any 
notice to us, or first acquainting us with their design, which 
action hath caused much admiration in us, having not received 
timely knowledge of the same, which, in respect to the govern- 
ment of the place, they ought, and were obliged to have done ; 
wherefore upon the considerations aforesaid, it is desired and 
entreated from the general of the aforesaid men-of-war or 
frigates, as also from our before deputed agents, whom we desire 
your honors civilly to treat, and to give and render unto them 
the occasion of your arrival here upon this coast, and you will 
give an opportunity (that after our hearty salutes and well 
wishes of your health) to pray that you may be blessed in 
eternity, and always remain, right honorable sirs, your honors' 
affectionate friend and servant, 

"P. Stuyvesant. 
"By order and appointment of the governor and commander 
in chief of the council of New Netherlands, the ig-Bgth of 
August, 1664. 

"Cornelius Ruyven, Secretary ^ 

To this letter. Col. NichoUs sent the following answer : 



46 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

" To the honorable the governor and chief cou7icil of the Man- 

hatans .•* 
" Right Worthy Sirs : 

"I received a letter by some worthy persons entrusted by 
you, bearing date the i9-29th of August, desiring to know the 
intent of the approach of the English frigates, in return of 
which I think fit to let you know, that His Majesty of Great 
Brittain, whose right and title to these parts of America is 
unquestionable, well knowing how much it derogates from his 
crown and dignity, to suffer any foreigners, how near soever 
they be allied, to usurp a dominion, and without His Majesty's 
royal consent, to inhabit in these or any other His Majesty's 
territories, hath commanded me, in his name, to require a sur- 
render of all such forts, towns, or places of strength, which are 
now possessed by the Dutch under your command. And in 
His Majesty's name, I do demand the town, situated upon the 
island, known by the name of Manhatoes, with all the forts 
thereunto belonging, to be rendered unto His Majesty's obedi- 
ence and protection into my hands. I am further commanded 
to assure you, and every respective inhabitant of the Dutch 
nation, that His Majesty being tender of the effusion of Christ- 
ian blood, doth, by these presents, confirm and secure to every 
man his estate, life, and liberty, who shall readily submit to his 
government ; and all those who shall oppose His Majesty's gra- 
cious intentions, must expect all the miseries of a war which 
they bring upon themselves. I shall expect your answer by 
those gentlemen. Colonel George Cartwright, one of His 
Majesty's commissioners in America, Captain Robert Needham, 
Captain Edward Groves, and Mr. Thomas Delavall, whom you 
will entertain and treat with such civility as is due to them 
and yourselves, and you shall receive the same from, worthy 
sirs, your very humble servant, 

"Richard Nicholls. 

" Dated on board His Majesty's ship, the Guinea, riding 
before Naijack, the 2o-3oth of August, 1664." 

Stuyvesant having now obtained full information from the Eng- 
*The Indian name by which New York island was formerly called. 



A 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 47 

lish general himself, of the nature of his business with him, 
returned the following answer : 

"That they were so confident of the discretion and equity o^ 
His Majesty of Great Britain, that were His Majesty truly in* 
formed of their right, he would not have given such an order. 
That the Dutch came not into these provinces by violence, but 
by virtue of a commission from the States General in 161 4, 
when they settled the North river, near fort Orange, and to 
avoid the invasions and massacres commonly committed by the 
savages they built a little fort there. That afterwards, in the 
year 1662, and at the present time, by virtue of a commission 
and grant to the governor of the West India Company, and an- 
other in the year 1656, of South river, to the burgomasters of 
Amsterdam, they had peaceably governed and enjoyed these 
provinces. That they were the first discoverers ; had purchased 
the land of the natives — princes of the country ; and had con- 
tinued in the uninterrupted possession thereof. That they made 
no doubt that if His Majesty of Great Britain, were truly in- 
formed of these passages, he was too judicious to give any order 
that the places and fortresses in their hands should be given up, 
especially at a time when so strict a friendship subsisted between 
His Majesty and the States General. That the offering of any 
act of hostility and violence against them, would be an infrac- 
tion of the treaty which subsisted between His Majesty of Great 
Britain and the States General. That as to the threats in the 
conclusion of General Nicholls' letter, he had nothing to an- 
swer, only that they feared nothing but what God should lay 
upon them." 

Upon the receipt of this answer, Col. Nicholls determined 
that there was nothing to be gained by delay, and accordingly 
resolved to assert the rights of his master, and immediately 
issued an order to Capt. Hyde, to the following effect • 

" Whereas, the governor and council of the Dutch plantation 
upon the Manhatoes, in Hudson's river, have, in answer to a 
summons, returned their resolutions to maintain their right and 



48 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

title of the States' General and West India Company, of Hol- 
land, to their forts, towns and plantations in these parts of 
America, I do therefore, in protection of His Majesty's service, 
recommend to Captain Hugh Hyde, commander in chief of the 
squadron, to prosecute, with the advice of the captains under 
his command, His Majesty's claim and interest, by all ways and 
means, as they shall think most expedient, for the speedy reduc- 
ing the Dutch under His Majesty's obedience, and for so doing 
this shall be their warrant. 

" Given under my hand the 24th of August, 1664, on board 
his majesty's ship the Guinea. 

"Richard Nicholls." 

The Dutch governor being convinced by the above order, and 
the preparations he had seen going on, that the English were 
determined to carry out their threats, Stuyvesant thought it best, 
before hostilities actually commenced, to propose one more ex- 
pedient, and on the 4th of September, he addressed another 
letter to Nicholls, as follows : 

** My Lord : 

*' Upon our letter the day before yesterday, and the commu- 
nication by words of mouth by our deputies, touching the just 
right and possession, without dispute of my lords, the States 
General of the united provinces, as also of our discovery of the 
news from Holland, which makes us not to doubt but that the 
King of Great Britain and my lords, the said States are at this 
hour agreed upon their limits. This had given us hope, my 
lord, to avoid all dispute, that you would have desisted from 
your design, or at least have given time, that we might have 
heard from our masters, from which expectation we have been 
frustrated by the report of our said deputies, who have assured 
us by word of mouth, that you persist on your summons and let- 
ter of 20 — 30 August, upon which we have no other thing to 
answer, but that following the order of my lords, the States Gen- 
eral, we are obliged to defend our place. However that in 
regard that we make no doubt, that upon your assault and our 
defence there will be a great deal of blood spilt, and besides it 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 49 

is to be feared greater difficulty may arise hereafter. We have 
thought fit to send unto you Mr. John de Decker, counsellor of 
state ; Cornelius Van Riven, secretary and receiver ; Cornelius 
Steenwick, mayor ; and James Coussea, sheriff, to the end of 
finding some means to hinder the spilling of innocent blood, 
which we esteem, my lord, not to be your intention. Praying 
that you will please to appoint a place and hour, and send or 
cause your deputies to meet there, with full commission to treat 
and seek out the means of a good accommodation, and in the 
mean time to cause all hostility to cease. Upon which, after 
recommending you to the protection of God, we remain, my 
lord, your thrice affectionate friend and servant, 

"P. Stuyvesant." 

To this letter Col. Nicholl's replied in an answer directed to 
the honorable the governor of the Manhatoes, as follows : 

"Right Worthy Sir : 

" In answer to yours of the 4th of September, new style, by 
hands of John de Decker, counsellor of state ; Cornelius Van 
Riven, secretary and receiver ; Cornelius Steenwick, burgo- 
master, and James Cousseau, sheriff, I do think it once more 
agreeable to the King's intentions, and my duty to his strict 
commands, to propose and receive all ways and means of avoid- 
ing the effusion of Christian blood ; of which sincere intention, 
I suppose you are already fully satisfied, and shall have no cause 
to doubt it for the future ; as also, that I do insist upon my first 
summons and message to you, for a speedy surrender of the 
towns and forts now under your command, into His Majesty's 
obedience and protection. You may easily believe that in re- 
spect of greater difficulties which are ready to attend you, I 
should willingly comply with your proposition .to appoint 
deputies, place, and time to treat of a good accommodation. 
But unless you had also given me to know, that by such a 
meeting you do intend to treat upon articles of surrender, I do 
not see just cause to defer the pursuance of His Majesty's com- 
mands. My first demand, and my last answer, of reducing 

D 



50 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

your towns and forts to His Majesty's obedience, which, why 
you call acts of hostility, I see no reason. 

" However, since you have given yourself and messengers 
this new trouble, I shall also take this fresh occasion to assure 
you that I heartily wish health, peace, and prosperity to every 
inhabitant of your plantations, and particularly to yourself, as 
being your affectionate humble servant. 

" Richard Nicholls. 

" Gravesend, 25th August, 1664." 

Stuyvesant, finding Nicholls grew more resolute in his enter- 
prise, and the country in general upholding him, after having 
tried in vain what other expedients he could, was compelled, 
at last, to surrender the fort and province under his government 
to the English, and commissioners were thereupon appointed to 
treat upon the articles. Those on the part of the English were 
Sir Robert Carre, Knight ; Colonel George Cartwright ; John 
Winthrop, Esq., Governor of Connecticut, and Samuel Willis, 
one of his council ; Captain Thomas Clarke, and Captain John 
Punctown, commissioners from the general court of Mas- 
sachusetts. 

The persons named by Governor Stuyvesant were John de 
Decker, Nicholas Varlett, commissary, concerning matters of 
traffic; Samuel Megopolensis, Cornelius Steenwick, Stephen 
Courtland, and James Coussea. 

The following articles of this treaty were agreed upon the 
27th of August, 1664, old style, and were signed and confirmed 
by Colonel Nicholls and Governor Stuyvesant, and subscribed 
by the commissioners, and contained twenty- four articles : 

The first gave to the States General, or the West India Com- 
pany, free enjoyment of all farms and houses, except such as 
were in the. forts, with liberty within six months to transport all 
arms and ammunition that belonged to them, or to be paid for 
the same. 

2. All public houses were to continue for the use they were 
for at the time. 

3. All people were to continue free denizens, to enjoy their 
lands, houses, goods, ships, wheresoever they were in the coun- 
try, and to dispose of them as they please. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 51 

4. If any inhabitant desired to remove himself, one year and 
six weeks was allowed him from the date of the treaty to remove 
himself, his wife, children, servants, and goods, and to dispose 
of his lands. 

5. Any officer of state or public minister who desired to go 
to England, should be transported, freight free, in His Majesty's 
frigates. 

6. Any people were allowed freely to come from the Nether- 
lands, and plant in the country, and Dutch vessels were freely 
allowed to come hither, and any of the Dutch were allowed 
freely to return home, or send any sort of merchandise home in 
their own vessels. 

7. All ships from the Netherlands were allowed to transport 
goods into the colony for six months next ensuing from the 
time of the coming of the English. 

8. They were allowed to enjoy liberty of conscience in mat- 
ters relating to religion, in divine worship, and Dutch dis- 
cipline. 

9. They were guaranteed that no Dutchman then in the 
colony, or Dutch ship, should, on any occasion whatever, be 
pressed to serve in war against any nation whatsoever. 

10. No soldiers were to be allowed to be quartered upon them 
without their being satisfied and paid for by the officers, and if 
the fort at present was inadequate to lodge all the soldiers, the 
burgomaster, by his officers, was to appoint some houses capable 
to receive them. 

11. The Dutch were to enjoy their own customs concerning 
their inheritances. 

12. All public writings and records which concern the inheri- 
tances of any people, or the reglement of the church, or poor, 
or orphans, were to be carefully kept in the hands they then 
were, and such writings as particularly concern the States 
General, were to be sent to them at any time they might demand 
them. 

13. No judgment that had passed any judicature should be 
called into question, and those who thought justice had not 
been done them, were allowed to apply to the States General, 
and the other party were required to answer them for the sup- 
posed injury. 



52 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

14. Any Dutch residing in the colony desiring at any time to 
travel or traffic in England, or any place or plantation, in 
obedience to His Majesty of England, or with the Indians, was 
to receive, upon his request to the governor, a certificate that 
he is a free denizen of the place, whereupon he was to have 
liberty so to do. 

15. In case there was a public engagement of debt by the 
town of Manhatoes, and a way agreed upon for the satisfying of 
the engagement, the same plan was to be adhered to until the 
engagement was satisfied. 

16. Inferior officers and magistrates were to continue as they 
then were until the customary time of election, when they were 
to choose new ones, who were to take the oath of allegiance 
to His Majesty of England before he could enter upon the 
office. 

17. All differences of contracts and bargains made before 
that time, were to be determined according to the manner of 
the Dutch. 

18. In case the West India Company, of Amsterdam, owe 
any sums of money to any persons here, it was agreed that 
recognition and other duties payable by ships going for the 
Netherlands be continued six months. 

19. The officers, military, and soldiers, were to march out 
with their arms, drums beating, and colors flying, lighted 
matches, and if any of them will plant, they were to have fifty 
acres of land set out to them, and if any of them will serve any 
as servants, they were to continue with all safety, and become 
free denizens afterwards. 

20. In case the King of Great Britain and the States of 
Netherland should at any time agree that this place and country 
be re-delivered into the hands of the said States, whenever His 
Majesty sent his commands to re-deliver it, it should imme- 
diately be done. 

21. The town of Manhatans were allowed to choose deputies, 
who should have free voices in all public affairs. 

22. Those who had any property in any houses in the fort of 
Aurania, should, if they please, slight the fortifications there, 
and then enjoy all their houses as all people do where there is 
no fort. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 53 

23. If any of the soldiers desire to go into Holland, and if 
the company of West India, in Amsterdam, or any private per- 
sons here, will transport them into Holland, they should have a 
safe passport from Colonel Richard Nicholls, Deputy Governor 
under His Royal Highness ; and the other commissioners to 
defend the ships that shall transport such soldiers, and all the 
goods in them, from any surprisal or act of hostility to be done 
by any of His Majesty's ships or subjects. 

24. The copies of the King's grant to His Royal Highness, 
and the copy of His Royal Highness' commission to Colonel 
Richard Nicholls, testified by two commissioners more and Mr. 
Winthrop to be true copies, were to be delivered to Mr. Stuy- 
vesant, the present governor, on Monday next, by eight o'clock 
in the morning, at the old Milne, and these articles consented 
to and signed by Colonel Richard Nicholls, Deputy Governor 
to His Royal Highness, and that within two hours after the fort 
and town called New Amsterdam, upon the island of Manhatoes, 
shall be delivered into the hands of the said Colonel Richard 
Nicholls by the service of such as shall be by him thereunto 
deputed by his hand and seal." 

The articles having been agreed on, the fort and city of New 
Amsterdam were surrendered to the English. Some of the 
houses were then built of brick and stone, and in part covered 
with red and black tile. The land being high, it made an 
agreeable prospect to those that visited it from the sea. Most 
of the Dutch inhabitants remained, and took the oath of alle- 
giance to the English government, and they and their posterity 
remained loyal subjects so long as they were under the crown of 
Great Britain ; but after we had made an effort to throw off the 
British yoke, they espoused the cause of the country, and fought 
for freedom.* 

* In the year 1751, as some workmen were digging down the bank of the 
North River, in New York, in order to build a still-house, a stone wall was 
discovered, between four and five feet thick, and near eight feet under ground, 
supposed to have been the breastwork of a battery. 



CHAPTER III. 

1664 — 1669. 

The Dutch at Delaware Bay — Sir Robert Carre — Right of the 
Crown of England to these Provi?tces — Duke of York — First 
ConstitutioTi of New Jersey — Inducements to settlers. 

THIRTEEN days after the surrender of New Amsterdam, 
Col. Nicholls marched up the country to Orange fort, and 
having taken it without much resistance, he gave it the name of 
Albany.* Previous to his taking this fort, he, with the other 
commissioners, sent Sir Robert Carre, f with the ships under his 
command, on an expedition into Delaware bay and river, to 
compel the submission of the inhabitants there. The commis- 
sion granted was as follows : 

" Whereas, we are informed that the Dutch have seated them- 
selves at Delaware bay, on His Majesty of Great Britain's terri- 
tories, without his knowledge and consent, and that they have 
fortified themselves there and drawn a great trade thither, and 
being assured if they be permitted to go on, the gaining of this 
place will be of small advantage to His Majesty. We, His 
Majesty's commission, and by instructions to us given, have ad- 
vised and determined to endeavor to bring that place and all 
strangers there, in obedience to His Majesty, and by these do 
order and appoint that His Majesty's frigates, the Guinea, and 
the William, and Nicholas, and all the soldiery which are not 

*After the Duke of York's Scotch title. 
j- Pronounced Carr. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 55 

in the fort, shall, with what speed they can conveniently go 
thither, under the command of Sir Robert Carre, to reduce the 
same, willing and commanding a 1 officers at sea and land, and 
all soldiers to obey the said Sir Robert Carre, during this ex- 
pedition. 

'' Given under our hands and seals, at the fort of New York, 
upon the isle of Manhatoes, the third day of September, 1664. 

" Richard Nicholls. 

*' George Cartwright. 

" Samuel Meverick." 

This commission was deliverd to Sir Robert Carre, with full 
instructions as to the manner he was to conduct the expedition 
upon his arrival in Delaware bay, which were as follows : 

*' Instructions to Sir Robert Carre, for the reducing of Dela- 
ware bay, and settling the people there under His Majesty's 
obedience. 

" When you are come near^unto the fort, which is possessed 
by the Dutch, you shall send your boat on shore to summons 
the governor and inhabitants to yield obedience to His Majesty, 
as the rightful sovereign of that tract of land, and let him and 
them know that all the planters shall enjoy their farms, houses, 
lands, goods, and chatties, with the same privileges, and upon 
the same terms which they do now possess them ; only that they 
change their masters, whether they be the West India Company 
or the city of Amsterdam. To the Swedes you shall remon- 
strate their happy return under a monarchial government, and 
His Majesty's good inclination to that nation, and to all men 
who shall comply with His Majesty's rights and titles in Dela- 
ware without force of arms. That all cannon, arms, and am- 
munition which belongs to the government shall remain to His 
Majesty. 

" That the acts of parliament shall be the rule for future 
trading. 

"That all people may enjoy liberty of conscience. 

"That for six months, next ensuing, the same magistrates shall 
continue in their offices, only that they and all others in author- 
ity must take the oath of allegiance to His Majesty, and all 
dublic acts be made in His Majesty's name. 



56 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

" If you find you cannot reduce the place by force, or upon 
these conditions, you may add such as you find necessary, on 
the place ; but if these, nor force will prevail, then you are to 
despatch a messenger to the governor of Maryland, with a letter 
to him, and request his assistance, and of all other English who 
live near the Dutch plantations. 

" Your first care, after reducing the place, is to protect the 
inhabitants from injuries, as well as violence of the soldiers, 
which will be easily effected if you settle a course for weekly 
or daily provisions by agreement with the inhabitants, which 
shall be satisfied to them, either out of the profits, customs or 
rents belonging to their present master, or in case of necessity 
from hence. 

" The laws for the present cannot be altered as to the admin- 
istration of justice between the parties. 

"To my Lord Baltimore's son you shall declare, and to all 
the English concerned in Maryland, that His Majesty hath, at 
his great expense, sent his ships and soldiers to reduce all 
foreigners in those parts to His Majesty's obedience, and to that 
purpose only you are employed. ' But the reduction of the 
place being at His Majesty's expense, you have commands to 
keep possession thereof for His Majesty's behoof and right, and 
that you are ready to join the governor of Maryland upon His 
Majesty's interest on all occasions, and that if Lord Baltimore 
doth pretend right thereto by his patent, (which is a doubtful 
case,) you are to say that you only keep possession till His 
Majesty is informed and satisfied otherwise. In other things, 
I must leave you to your own discretion, and the best advice 
you can get upon the place." 

Carre having received this commission, immediately set sail 
with the ships under his command. On his arrival against New 
Castle, (then called New Amstel,) the Dutch and Swedes, fol- 
lowing the example of New Amsterdam, their capital, at once 
capitulated and surrendered their fort. The articles were signed 
and sealed by the English commanding officer, and six of the 
principal inhabitants of the place on behalf of themselves and 
others, and were as follows : 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 57 

"Articles of agreement between the honorable Sir Robert 
Carre, Knight, on the behalf of His Majesty, of Great Britain, 
and the burgomasters on behalf of t hemselves, and all the Dutch 
and Swedes inhabiting on Delaware bay and Delaware river. 

" I. That all the burgesses and planters will submit them- 
selves to His Majesty without any resistance. 

" 2. That whoever, or what nation soever, doth submit to His 
Majesty's authority, shall be protected in their estates, real and 
personal, whatsoever, by His Majesty's laws and justice. 

" 3. That the present magistrates shall be continued in their 
offices and jurisdictions to exercise their civil power as formerly. 

"■ 4. That if any Dutchman, or other person, shall desire to 
depart from this river, it shall be lawful for him so to do with 
his goods, within six months after the date of these articles. 

"5. That the magistrates and all the inhabitants (who are 
included in. these articles) shall take the oath of allegiance to 
His Majesty, 

" 6. That all people shall enjoy the liberty of their con- 
sciences in church discipline, as formerly. 

"7. That whoever shall take the oath is from that time a 
free denizen, and shall enjoy all the privileges of trading into 
any of His Majesty's dominions as freely as any Englishman 
and may require a certificate for so doing. 

"8. That the scout, the .burgomaster, sheriff, and other in- 
ferior magistrates, shall use and exercise their customary power 
in administration of justice, within their precincts for six 
months, or until His Majesty's pleasure is further known. 

''Dated October ist, 1664." 

Thus it will be seen in all the early conquests made by the 
crown of Great Britain, the rights of conscience, and protec- 
tion of the civil powers of the governments conquered were, 
in all cases, rigidly maintained. 

New Amsterdam, Fort Orange, and the inhabitants on the 
Delaware or South river, being reduced, the whole country was 
in the possession of the English, and things having assumed a 
quiet posture about New York, Richard Nicholls was com- 
missioned the 24th of October, 1664, by Cartwright and Mev- 
erick, to repair to Delaware bay and govern the place. 



58 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

He was authorized to depute such officers, civil and military, 
and adopt such other measures as he should think proper, until 
the pleasure of the King should be further known. 

In this way things rested until 1668, when Nicholls and his 
council at New York gave the following directions for a better 
settlement of the government on the Delaware, 

"That it is necessary to hold up the name and countenance 
of a garrison in Delaware with twenty men and one commis- 
sioned officer. 

"That the commissioned officer shall undertake to provide 
all sorts of provision for the whole garrison, at the rate of five 
pence per day, viz. : wholesome bread, beer, pork, pease or 
beef, that no just complaint be made of either. That the sol- 
diers, (so far as conveniently they may,) be lodged in the fort, 
and keep the stockadoes up in defence. That the civil govern- 
ment be continued till further orders. 

" That to prevent all abuses or oppositions in civil magistrates, 
so often as complaint is made, the commissioned officer, Capt. 
Carre, shall call the scout,* with Hans Block, Israel Holme, 
Peter Rambo, Peter Cock, Peter Aldrick, or any two of them, 
as councellors to advise, hear, and determine, by the major vote, 
what is just, equitable, and necessary in the case and cases in 
question. 

" That the same persons also, or any two or more of them, 
be called to advise and direct what is best to be done in all cases 
of difficulty, which may arise from the Indians, and to give their 
council and orders for the arming of the several plantations and 
planters, who must obey and attend their summons upon such 
occasion. 

" That two-thirds at least of the soldiers remain constantly in 
and about New Castle at all hours. 

"That the fines or premunires and light offences be executed 
with moderation, though it is also necessary that ill men be pun- 
ished in an exemplary manner. 

" That the commission officer, Capt. Carre, in the determina- 
tion of the chief civil affairs, whereunto the temporary before- 

* A civil officer, corresponding with a constable of the present day. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 59 

mentioned councellors are ordained, shall have a casting voice 
where votes are equal. 

"That the new appointed councellors are to take the oath to 
his Royal Highness. 

"That the laws of the government, established by his Royal 
Highness, be shewed and frequently communicated to the said 
councellors and all others, to the end that being therewith ac- 
quainted, the practice of them may also in convenient time be 
established, which conduceth to the publick wellfare and com- 
mon justice. 

"That no offensive war be made against any Indians, before 
you receive directions from the governor for your so doing. 

"That in all matters of difficulty and importance, you must 
have recourse by way of appeal, to the governor and council at 
New York." 

The above instructions were dated April 21st, 1668, and in 
less than two months after their promulgation, the government 
at New York received information that some of the tribe of the 
Mantas Indians, on the Delaware, had murdered the servants ot 
one Tomm. 

Peter Aldricks and Peter Rambo, arriving soon after at New 
York, confirmed the news, and further informed the government 
that it was the desire of the Indians in those parts, that selling 
strong liquor to them should be absolutely prohibited upon the 
whole river, as they attributed the murders above mentioned as 
having occurred in consequence of a drunken frolic. 

This was no doubt the case, as the Indians on the Delaware 
always manifested a peaceable disposition toward the English 
settlers. 

The governor and Colonel Lovelace wrote to Carre, author- 
izing him to convene those in commission with him for the man- 
agement of civil affairs, and having advised with them to make 
all necessary rules and give orders for the government of both 
Christians and Indians, and if the murders and restraining the 
Indians from strong drink might be attended with difficulties, 
Carre was ordered, after having consulted with the Indians as to 



6o HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the best method of proceeding, to send a stat ement of the mat- 
ter to the council at New York. 

Another disturbance soon followed, which seemed Jikely to 
prove a matter of some consequence against the newly estab- 
lished government, but it was prevented by the vigilance of the 
administration. A Swede, at Delaware, represented that he was 
the son of Coningsmarke, the Swedish general. He went from 
one place to another, spreading rumors to disturb the civil 
peace and laws, and endeavored to enlist in his favor a party 
strong enough to incite an insurrection, and thereby throw off 
the English allegiance. 

Henry Coleman, a native of Finland, and an inhabitant at 
Delaware, associated with him, left his habitation, cattle, and 
corn, and being well versed in the Indian language, they kept 
constantly among them, and by that means their designs were 
at first suspected. 

The governor issued a proclamation, calling upon Coleman to 
surrender within fifteen days, to answer what should be alleged 
against him, and in case of non-compliance, his estate should 
be forfeited to the King. 

We are not informed whether Coleman, in obedience to the 
proclamation, gave himself up or not, but Coningsmarke being a 
vagrant, more effectual measures were resorted to to capture 
him, and he was very soon in custody, and all the rest that had 
anything to do with the plot were compelled to give security for 
their conduct, and an account of their estate was ordered to 
be taken. 

The governor, in a letter to Carre, tells him : 

"That as for the poor, deluded sort, I think the advice of 
their own countrymen is not to be despised, who, knowing their 
temper well, prescribed a method for keeping them in order, 
which is severity, and laying such taxes on them as may not 
give them liberty to entertain any other thoughts but how to 
discharge them. I perceive the little Domine hath played the 
trumpeter to this disorder. I refer the quality of his punish- 
ment to your direction." 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 6i 

On the 1 8th of October, 1669, a council assembled at New 
York, at which the governor, Thomas Delaval, Ralph Whitfield, 
and Thomas Willet, the secretary, were present. This council 
assembled for the trial of those who had violated the laws, at 
which the affair of Coningsmarke was first taken into considera- 
tion. It was adjudged that Coningsmarke, commonly called 
the Long Finne, deserved to die, yet, in regard that many con- 
cerned with him in the insurrection might also be involved in 
the premunire, if the rigor of the law should be extended, and 
amongst them diverse simple and ignorant people, it was thought 
fit to order that the Long Finne should be severely whipt, and 
stigmatized with the letter R, with inscription in great letters 
on his breast ; that he received that punishment for rebellion, 
and afterward to be secured till sent to Barbadoes or some other 
remote plantation to be sold. It was further ordered, that the 
chief of his accomplices should forfeit to the King one-half of 
his goods and chattels, and a smaller mulct laid on the rest, to be 
left at the discretion of the commissioners appointed to examine 
the matter. 

In pursuance of this sentence, the Long Finne was brought, 
fettered, from Delaware, and put prisoner in the Stadt House at 
York, on the 20th of December, and there confined an entire 
year, when a warrant was signed, and he, in pursuance of it, 
was transported for sale to Barbadoes. 

At this council the case of an Indian who had committed a 
rape on a Christian woman, was considered, and it was decreed 
that he should be put to death if he could be found, and or- 
dered that application be made to the sachems of his tribe to 
deliver him up, that justice might be executed upon him. He 
had been once before taken and condemned to death at Dela- 
ware, but escaped by breaking jail. 

A man by the name of Douglass, at Hoarkill, after this gave 
the new settlers a great deal of trouble by his seditious practices, 
but he was apprehended, sent to jail, and afterwards taken to 
New York, where he was tried and sent eastward, and ordered 
not to return to the government any more. 

Francis Lovelace succeeded Nicholls in the government in 
May, 1667, and continued governor until the colony was given 



62 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

up to the Dutch in the summer of 1673. Nicholls had re- 
mained governor since the Dutch surrendered, being about two 
years and a half. 

In February, 1669, Governor Lovelace gave a commission, 
and letters of instruction were sent to Hoarkill,* authorizing 
Hermanus Fredericksen to be scout. Slander Matson, Otto Wal- 
gast and William Cleason to be commissaries f to keep good 
order there, and to try all matters of difference under ten 
pounds ; while all matters above that, and all criminal matters, 
were to be tried at New York. 

He also appointed Captain Martin Prieger to collect the 
customs for all European goods imported at the Hoarkill, and 
on the furs and peltry exported from thence, ten pound per 
cent. 

** The right of the Crown of England to these provinces 
having been indisputably established, King Charles II., by 
letters patent, bearing date March 20th, 1664, for the consider- 
ation therein mentioned, granted unto James, Duke of York, 
his heirs and assigns, all that part of the main-land of New Eng- 
land, beginning at a certain place, called or known by the name 
of St. Croix, near adjoining to New Scotland, in America ; and 
from thence extending along the sea coast, unto a certain place 
called Pemaquie, or Pemaquid, and so up the river thereof to 
the furthest head of the same, as it tendeth northward ; and 
extending from thence to the river of Kimbequin, and so up- 
wards by the shortest course to the river Canada, northwards; 
and also all that island, or islands, commonly called by the 

* This part of the colony was called Hoarkill or Hoemkill from the creek 
which winds like a horn. It was so named by the Dutch, but when the 
English came in possession they called it Lewistown. Hoarkill or Lewis- 
town was situated at the mouth of Delaware bay, and was the general resort 
for pilots waiting to convoy vessels up the river. Where this creek was 
described as being deep and sandy in 1669, and 1765, it was described as a 
mowing marsh, and the channel through which vessels used to pass, was 
diminished to about a hundred yards breadth at the mouth. It contained two 
islands, one of which, two hundred years ago, was very small, and the other, 
but half a league in circumference, had in less than a hundred years in- 
creased, the one about ten, and the other about thirty times their former size. 

f Justices of the peace. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 63 

several name or names of Matowacks or Long Island, situate and 
being towards the west of Cape Cod, and the narrow Higansetts, 
abutting upon the land between the two rivers, there called or 
known by the several names of Connecticut and Hudson's 
rivers; together also with the said river called Hudson's river, 
and all the land from the west side of Connecticut river to the 
east side of Delaware bay, and also several other islands and 
lands in the said letters patents mentioned ; together with the 
rivers, harbors, mines, minerals, quarries, woods, marshes, 
waters, lakes, fishings, hawking, hunting and fowling, and all 
other royalties, profits, commodities, and hereditaments to the 
said several islands, lands and premises belonging or apper- 
taining." 

The Duke of York, being thus seized, did by his deeds of 
lease and release, bearing date the 23d and 24th of June, 1664, 
in consideration of a competent sum of money, grant and 
convey unto John Lord Berkely, Baron of Stratton, one of the 
King's privy council, and Sir George Carteret, of Saltrum, in 
the county of Devon, knight, and one of the privy council,* 
and their heirs and assigns forever, all that tract of land adja- 
cent to New England, and lying and being to the westward of 
Long Island and Manhattas Island, and bounded on the east 
part by the main sea, and part by Hudson's river, and hath 
upon the west Delaware bay or river, and extendeth southward 
to the main ocean as far as Cape May, at the mouth of Delaware 
bay, and to the northward as far as the northermost branch of 
the said bay or river of Delaware, which is in forty-one degrees 
and forty minutes of latitude, and crosseth over thence in a 
straight line to Hudson's river, in forty-one degrees of latitude, 
which said tract of land is hereafter to be called Nova Caesaria 
or New Jersey; and also all rivers, mines, minerals, woods, 

* Smollet infoiTas us that Sir George Carteret was Governor of Jersey, and 
held it for King Charles II. in the troubles of 1649; expelled the House of 
Commons in 1669, for confused accounts, as Chamberlain; and Clarendon 
says he was Treasurer of the Navy, and Vice-Chamberlain of the King's 
househuid. 



64 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

fishings, hawkings, huntings, and fowlings, and all other royal- 
ties, profits, commodities, and hereditaments whatsoever to the 
said lands and premises belonging or in anywise appertaining, 
with their and every of their appurtenances, in as ftill and ample 
manner as the same is granted to the said Duke of York by the 
before recited letters patents. 

Lord Berkely and Sir George Carteret, in consequence of this 
conveyance, being now the sole proprietors of New Jersey, for 
the better settlement of the same, agreed upon a certain consti- 
tution of government, which gave general satisfaction, and in 
consequence thereof the eastern parts of the province were 
rapidly peopled. 

This constitution gave the governor, with the advice and 
consent of his council, power to appoint a deputy to act in case 
of his death or removal. 

2. Also, power to appoint six councellors at least, and twelve 
at most, or any even number between six and twelve, with whom 
he was to advise. 

3. In case the proprietors failed to appoint a secretary of the 
province, the governor had the power to appoint. This officer 
was to enter in books all public affairs, record and enter all 
grants of land from the lords to the planters, and all convey- 
ances of lands, house or houses made by the landlord to any 
tenant for a longer term than a year, and to do all other things 
directed by the lords proprietors, or ordained by the governor, 
council, and general assembly for the good and welfare of the 
said province. He was also termed register. 

4. A surveyor-general was to be chosen by the proprietors, 
and in case of their failure to appoint, the governor was to 
choose. His business was to lay out and bound all lands that 
were granted by the lords to the planters, and all other lands 
within the province, either by himself or by deputy, and certify 
the same to the register, to be by him recorded. The governor 
and council, or deputy governor and council, had power to 
remove for cause the register or surveyor-general. 

5. All officers were required, before entering upon the du- 
ties of their office, to swear or subscribe, in a book kept for 
that purpose, the oath of allegiance to the crown, and fidelity 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 65 

to the interests of the lords proprietors of the province. And 
such as subscribed and did not swear, and violated his promise 
in that subscription, was liable to the same punishment as though 
he had sworn and broken his oath. 

6. All who were or became subjects of the King of England, 
and who swore or subscribed allegiance to the King, and faith- 
fulness to the lords, shall be admitted to plant and become free- 
men of the said province. 

7. No person qualified as aforesaid, should at any time be mo- 
lested, punished, disquieted, or called in question, for any differ- 
ence in opinion or practice in matters of religious concernments, 
who do not actually disturb the civil peace of said province; 
but that all and every such person and persons may, from time 
to time, and at all times, freely and fully have and enjoy his and 
their judgments and consciences, in matters of religion, through- 
out the said provin ce, they behaving themselves peaceably and 
quietly, and not using this liberty to licentiousness, nor to the 
civil injury or outward disturbance of others. 

8. The general assembly were empowered to constitute and 
appoint such and so many ministers or preachers as they should 
think fit, and to establish their maintenance, giving liberty be- 
sides to any person or persons to keep and maintain what preach- 
ers or ministers they please. 

9. They were to choose from among themselves twelve depu- 
ties or representatives, to join with the governor and council, 
for making such laws, ordinan ces, and constitutions, as they may 
think necessary for the present good and welfare of the province. 
But so soon as parishes, divisions, tribes, and other distinctions 
are made, that then the inhabitants or freeholders of the several 
respective parishes, tribes, divisions, and distinctions, were to 
meet annually, on the first day of January, and choose freeholders 
for each respective division, tribe, or parish, to be deputies or 
representatives of the same. A majority of representatives shall, 
with the governor and council, be the general assembly of the 
province. 

THEY WERE TO HAVE POWER, 

I St. To appoint their own time of meeting, and to adjourn from 
time to such times and places as they should think convenient. 

£ 



66 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

2d. To enact and make all such laws, acts, and constitutions, 
as shall be necessary for the well government of the province, 
and, if thought necessary, to repeal them. All laws were to be 
in reason, and agreeable to the laws and customs of His Majesty's 
Kingdom of England, and not against the interests of the lords 
proprietors, nor any of the concessions, and especially that they 
be not repugnant to the article for liberty of conscience. 

These laws were to be in force one year and no more, unless 
confirmed by the lords proprietors, after which they were to be 
in continual force, until expired by their own limitation. 

3d. They were by law to constitute all courts with the limits, 
powers, and jurisdictions of the same, as also the several offices, 
and number of officers belonging to each court, with their re- 
spective salaries, fees, and perquisites, their appellations and dig- 
nities, with the penalties that shall be due to them, for the breach 
of their several and respective duties and trusts. 

4th. To lay equal taxes and assessments, equally to raise mon- 
eys or goods upon all lands, except such as belong to the lords 
proprietors before settling. 

5th, To erect within the said province such and so many 
manors* with their necessary courts, jurisdictions, freedoms, and 
privileges as to them shall seem meet and convenient ; as also to 
divide the said province into hundreds, f parishes, tribes, or such 
other divisions or distinctions and districtions as they shall think 
fit, and to distinguish them by such names as they may think 
proper, and to appoint so many ports, harbors, creeks, and other 
places, for the convenient loading and unloading of goods and 
merchandise out of ships, boats, and other vessels, as they shall 
judge most conducive to the general good of the province. 

6th. To erect, raise, and build within the said province, or 
any part thereof, such and so many forts, fortresses, castles, 
cities, corporations, boroughs, towns, villages, and other places of 
strength and defence, and to incorporate with charters and priv- 

* Manor, meaning the land belonging to a nobleman or lord, or so much 
land as a lord or great personage formerly kept in his own hands for the use 
and subsistence of his family. 

I Meaning a circuit or county, supposed to contain about a hundred families. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 67 

ileges as to them shall seem good, and to fortify and furnish with 
such provisions and proportions of ordnance, powder, shot, 
armor, and all other weapons, ammunition, and habiliments of 
war, both offensive and defensive, as shall be thought necessary 
and convenient for the safety and welfare of the province. 

7th. To constitute trained bands and companies, with the 
number of soldiers, for the safety, strength, and defence of the 
province, and of the forts, castles, cities, &c.j to suppress all 
mutinies and rebellions ; to make war, offensive and defensive, 
with all Indians, strangers, and foreigners, as they shall see 
cause; and to pursue an enemy as well by sea as by land, if 
need be, out of the limits and jurisdiction of the said province, 
with the particular consent of the governor, and under his con- 
duct, or of our commander-in-chief, or whom he shall appoint. 

8th. To give to all strangers, as to them shall seem meet, a 
naturalization, and all such freedoms and privileges within the 
province, as to His Majesty's subjects do of right belong, they 
swearing or subscribing as aforesaid, who shall be considered in 
the said province the same as the King's natural subjects. 

9th. To prescribe the quantities of land which shall be from 
time to time allotted to every head, free or servant, male or 
female ; and to make or ordain rules for the casting of lots for 
land and laying out of the same. 

loth. The general assembly was to make provision for the 
support of the governor, and for defraying all necessary charges 
for the support of the government ; to collect the lords' rents, 
without charge or trouble to them. 

nth. To enact, constitute, and ordain all such other laws, 
acts, and constitutions, as shall or may be necessary for the 
good prosperity and settlement of the province. 

THE GOVERNOR WITH HIS COUNCIL 

was to see that all courts established by the laws of the general 
assembly, and all ministers and officers, civil and mili tary, exe- 
cuted their several duties and offices respe ctively, according to 
the laws in force, and to punish them for swerving from the laws, 
or acting contrary to their trust, as the n ature of their offences 
should require. 

2d. To nominate and commissionate the several judges, 



6& HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY, 

members, and officers of courts, whether magisterial or minis- 
terial, and all other civil officers, coroners, &c.; and to revoke 
their commissions, powers, and authority at pleasure. 

3d. To appoint courts and officers in cases criminal, and era- 
power them to inflict penalties upon offenders against any of the 
laws in force in the province, as the said laws shall ordain ; 
whether by fine, imprisonment, banishment, corporeal pun- 
ishment, or to the taking away of member or of life itself, if 
there be cause for it. 

4th. To place officers and soldiers for the safety, strength, 
and defence of the forts, castles, cities, &c., and to revoke their 
commissions at pleasure ; prosecute war, pursue an enemy, sup- 
press all rebellions and mutinies, as well by sea as land, and 
to exercise the whole militia. But he was to appoint no mili- 
tary forces but what were freeholders in the province, except by 
consent of the general assembly. 

5th. Where he saw cause after condemnation, he had power 
to reprieve until the case was presented, with a copy of the 
whole trial, proceedings, and proofs, to the lords, who would 
either command execution of the sentence or pardon the 
offender. 

6th. In case of death or removal of any of the representa- 
tives within the year, he was to issue summons or writ, com- 
manding the freeholders to choose others in their stead. 

7th. To make warrants and seal grants of lands, according to 
the concessions and prescriptions, by the advice of the general 
assembly. 

8th. To act and do all things that would conduce to the 
safety, peace, and well government of the province. 

And for the better security of all the inhabitants in the said 
province, they are not to impose, nor suffer to be imposed, any 
tax, custom, subsidy, toUage, assessment, or any duty whatso- 
ever, upon any color or pretence, upon the said province and 
the inhabitants thereof, other than shall be imposed by the 
authority and consent of the general assembly. 

2d. To take care that the lands are quietly held, planted, 
and possessed seven years, after its being duly surveyed by the 
surveyor-general or his order. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 69 

3d. To take care that no man, if his cattle stray or range, 
or graze on any ground within the province not actually appro- 
priated or set out to particular persons, shall be liable to pay 
any tresspass for the same, provided he do not purposely suffer 
his cattle to graze on such lands. 

And that the planting of said province may be more speedily 
promoted, we do hereby grant unto all persons who have 
already adventured into the said province of New Caesaria, 
or New Jersey, or shall transport themselves or servants before 
the first day of January, 1665, to every freeman that shall go 
with the first governor where he embarks (or shall meet him at 
the rendezvous he appoints for the settlement of a plantation, 
there armed with a good musket, bore twelve bullets to the 
pound, with ten pounds of powder and twenty pounds of bul- 
lets, with bandaliers and matches convenient, and with six 
months' provisions) for his own person arriving there, one hun- 
dred and fifty acres of land, English measure ; and for every 
able man-servant that he shall carry with him, armed and pro- 
vided as aforesaid, and arriving there, the like quantity of land ; 
and for every able man-servant he or she shall send, armed and 
provided as aforesaid, and arriving there, the like quantity of 
one hundred and fifty acres of land, English measure ; and for 
every weaker servant or slave, male or female, exceeding the age 
of fourteen years, which any one shall send or carry, arriving 
there, seventy-five acres of land ; and to every Christian servant, 
exceeding the age aforesaid, after the expiration of their time of 
service, seventy-five acres of land for their own use. 

2d. To every master or mistress that shall go before the ist 
day of January, 1665, one hundred and twenty acres of land; 
and for every able man-servant that he or she shall send or carry, 
armed and provided as aforesaid, and arriving within the time 
aforesaid, the like quantity of one hundred and twenty acres of 
land; and for every weaker servant, male or female, exceeding 
the age of fourteen years, arriving there, sixty acres of land ; 
and to every Christian servant, to their own use and behoof, 
sixty acres of land. 

3d. To every free man or free woman that shall arrive in the 
said province, armed and provided as aforesaid, within the 



70 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

second year, from the ist day of January, 1665, to the ist day 
of January, 1666, with an intention to plant, ninety acres of 
land, English measure ; and for every able man-servant that he 
or she shall carry or send, armed and provided as aforesaid, 
ninety acres of land, like measure. 

4th. For every weaker servant or slave aged as aforesaid, that 
shall be so carried or sent hither within the second year, forty- 
five acres of land of like measure ; and to every Christian 
servant that shall arrive the second year, forty-five acres of land 
of like measure, after the expiration of his or their time of 
service, for their own use and behoof. 

5th. To every free man and free woman arriving in the third 
year, with the intention to plant, from January, 1666, to Jan- 
uary, 1667, and provided as aforesaid, three score acres of land, 
and the same quantity to every able man-servant ; and for every 
weaker slave aged as aforesaid, thirty acres of land ; and to 
every Christian servant, thirty acres of land, after the expiration 
of their time of service. 

And that the lands may be more regularly laid out, and all 
persons the better ascertained of their titles and possessions, the 
governor, council, and general assembly (if any be) are to take 
care and direct that all lands be divided by general lots, none 
less than two thousand one hundred acres, nor more than 
twenty-one thousand acres in each lot, excepting cities, towns, 
&c., and the near lots of townships; and that the same be 
divided into seven parts, one-seventh part to us, our heirs, and 
assigns, the remainder to persons as they come to plant the 
same, in such proportions as is allowed. 

2d. That the governor, or whom he shall depute, in case of 
death or absence, if some be not before commissionated by us 
as aforesaid, to give to every person to whom land is due, a war- 
rant, signed and sealed by himself, and the major part of his 
council, and directed to the surveyor-general or his deputy, 
commanding him to lay out, limit, and bound, (the number of) 
acres of land, (as his due proportion,) is for such a person, in 
such allottment, according to the warrant. 

3d. We also grant convenient portions of land for highways 
and streets, not exceeding one hundred feet in breadth in cities, 
towns, and villages, &c., and for churches, forts, wharffs, keys, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 71 

harbors, and for public houses, and to each parish, for the use of 
their ministers, two hundred acres, in such places as the general 
assembly shall appoint. 

4th. The governor is to take notice, that all such lands laid 
out for the uses and purposes aforesaid, in the next preceding 
article, shall be free and exempt from all rents, taxes, and other 
charges and duties whatsoever, payable to us, our heirs or as- 
signs. 

5th. That in laying out lands for cities, towns, villages, 
boroughs, or other hamlets, the said lands be divided into seven 
parts, one-seventh part whereof to be by lot laid out for us, and 
the rest to be divided to such as shall be willing to build there- 
on, they paying after the rate of one penny or half-penny per 
acre, (according to the value of the land) yearly to us. 

6th. That all rules relating to the building of each street, or 
quantity of ground to be allotted to each house within the said 
respective cities, boroughs, and towns, be wholly left, by act as 
aforesaid, to the wisdom and discretion of the general assembly. 

7th. That the inhabitants of said province, have free passage 
through or by any seas, bounds, creeks, rivers, or rivulets, &c., 
in the said province, through or by which they must necessarily 
pass, to come from the main ocean to any part of the province. 

8th, and lastly. It shall be lawful for the representatives of 
the freeholders to make any address to the lords, touching the 
governor or council, or any of them, or concerning any griev- 
ance whatsoever, or for any other thing they shall desire, with- 
out the consent of the governor and council, or any of them. 

Given under our seal of our said province, the loth day of 
February, in the year of our Lord 1664. 

Berkeley, 
G. Carteret. 

This was the first constitution of New Jersey, and it continued 
entire, till the province became divided in 1676. 

I have not given it entire, only the main points contained 
therein. 

Sir George Carteret, then the only proprietor of the eastern 
division, confirmed and explained the concessions, with few 
additions. 



72 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The county of Bergen was the first settled place. A great 
many Dutch being already there when the province was sur- 
rendered, remained under the English government. A few 
Danes were also concerned in the original settlement of the 
county, from whence they derived the name of Bergen, after the 
capital of Norway. 

The manner of their original settlement was singulai. They 
had but small lots where their dwellings were, and these were 
built contiguous in the town of Bergen ; their plantations, from 
whence their subsistence was obtained, being at some distance 
from their residences. 

The reason for building thus, was from fear of the numerous 
Indians in the early days of their settlement,* about forty or 
fifty years previous to the surrender of the Dutch to the 
English. 

In 1664, John Bailey, Daniel Denton, and Luke Watson, of 
Jamaica, Long Island, purchased of certain Indian Chiefs, who 
at that time inhabited Staten Island, a tract or tracts of land, 
on part of which the city of Elizabeth now stands, and for 
which (on their petition) Governor Richard Nicholls, granted a 
deed or patent to John Baker, of New York ; John Ogden, of 
Northampton ; John Bailey, and Luke Watson, and their asso- 
ciates, dated at Fort James, in New York, the 2d of Decem- 
ber.f This was before Lord Berkely and Sir George Carteret's 
title was known, and by this means this part of the province 
had some few very early settlements. 

Shrewsbury was first settled by emigrants from Connecticut in 
1664, and Middletown by the English in 1666, and it is sup- 
posed that there were Dutch and English settlers at both these 
places before that time. 

About 1669 these places were a great resort for industrious 
reputable farmers; the English from the west end of Long Island, 
removed here in great numbers, and most of them fixed about 
Middletown, from whence by degrees, they extended their settle- 

* Morton, in his memorial published in 1620, tells us that the Hollanders 
had a large trade on Hudson's river previous to that time. 
■]• This is what is commonly called the Elizabethtown grant. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 73 

ments to Freehold, and its immediate vicinity. To Shrewsbury- 
there came many families from New England. 

There were very soon four towns in the province — Shrewsbury, 
Middletown, Elizabeth, and Newark ; and these, with the sur- 
rounding country, were in a few years plentifully inhabited by 
the accession of the Scotch, of whom there came a great many ; as 
well as from England, together with the Dutch who remained, as 
well as settlers from the neighboring colonies. 

Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret in 1669, appointed 
Philip Carteret governor, and gave him power, with the advice 
of a majority of council, to grant lands to all such as by the con- 
cessions were entitled thereto. In these concessions there was 
no provision for bargaining with the Indians.* But when 
Governor Carteret arrived, he thought it prudent to purchase 
from the Indians their right in the land. 

It is worthy of remark here that all the lands in New Jersey 
were first purchased from the Indians before they were settled. 

The sums paid for the lands, to the Indians, were inconsider- 
able in comparison with the damage a neglect might have occa- 
sioned, f For though the Indians about the English settlements, 

*This was supplied in l672, by particular instructions directing the gover- 
nor and council to purchase all lands from the Indians and be reimbursed by 
the settlers as they made their purchases. 

I "We are informed that Richard Hartshorn, a considerable settler at Middle- 
town, who came over in this year (1669), had like to have experienced some 
disadvantages from this neglect in the patentees of that town. " The Indi- 
ans," says he " came to my house and laid their hands on the post and frame 
of the house, and said that house was theirs, they never had anything for it, 
and told me if I would not buy the land, I must be gone. But I minded it 
not, thinking it was Davis' land, and they wanted to get something of me; 
they at last told me they would kill my cattle and burn my hay, if I would 
not buy the land nor be gone ; then I went to the patentees, which were 
James Grover, Richard Stout, John Bound, and Richard Gibbons. They told 
me it was never bought, nor had the Indians anything for it. Nicholls de- 
sired of them and the Indians also, only to have leave to set a trading house ; 
and at that time, they did not intend any one should have the land, but keep 
it for the use of the countiy ; always giving leave for any man to trade with 
goods, and not othei-wise. But I told them I would not live on those terms, 
and not only so, but it was dangerous, for the Indians threatened to kill my 



74 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

were not at this time considerable as to numbers they were 
strong in their alliances, and besides of themselves could easily 
annoy the plantations; and there having been several skir- 
mishes between the Dutch and Indians, in which some blood 
had been spilled, fear was entertained in regard to obtaining 
their friendship. 

The governor therefore thought it best, and so ordered that 
all new comers were either to purchase of the Indians them- 
selves, or if the lands were before purchased, they were to pay 
their proportion. 

The plan adopted by him answered his expectation, as the 
Indians parted with the lands to their own satisfaction, they be- 
came a jealous, shy people, serviceable and good neighbors. 
Frequent reports of their coming to kill the white people 
disturbed their repose, yet no instance ever occurred of their 
doing them any injury in the early settlements. 

cattle. They told me no man had power to buy but the patentees, and they 
would buy it. Thus it continued some months. I considered the thing as 
well as I then was capable, and went to Gravesend and bought William 
"Goulder out, and when I came back the Indians were at me and I did. 
James Grover, Richard Stout and Samuel Spicer, were at Wakecake when 
I bought Wakecake and paid for it, I being then a patentee as well as the 
rest." 



CHAPTER IV. 

1669 — 1680. 

Stratagem of a Settler— Penelope Stout— Her Rescue— Her De- 
scenda?its — Wampum the chief Currency of the Country — 
Proclamation of the Governor — Division of the Province — 
Yorkshire and London Purchasers— Meeting of Proprietors. 

IN the Dutch skirmishes with the Indians, the English from 
Long Island, together with such as were settled among the 
Dutch, used to join the latter in frequent excursions up the 
rivers to annoy the Indians. 

There is a tradition that in one of these expeditions up a 
Jersey river, one of the company, of more curiosity or boldness 
than the rest, went at some distance in the country to discover 
an Indian town, which at last he did, by coming upon it before 
he was aware of his situation. He there found quite a number 
seated together. At the instant he saw them, they saw him. He 
was surprised, but quickly recollecting himself, took a paper out 
of his pocket, and with it boldly went up, telling them it was 
proposals from the government at New York, and read at ran- 
dom such things as came into his head. By this stratagem he 
got off without molestation, and having acquainted the inhabi- 
tants at New York as to what he had seen, notified the govern- 
ment there that if they would send a party against the Indians 
he would act as pilot for them. A party was accordingly sent, 
and coming upon the Indians in the night, some of them found 
means to get to windward of their little town, and setting fire 
to it, burnt it down. Their wigwams being built close together, 
and 'made of flags, bushes, and other light combustible matter, 



76 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

covered with the bark of trees, so that the fire burnt with great 
violence. The Indians, notwithstanding their surprise, armed 
with their bows and arrows, fought with dexterity and courage, 
but being overpowered by numbers, many of them were 
destroyed. 

nother tradition informs us that while New York was in 
possession of the Dutch, about the time of the Indian war in 
New England, a Dutch ship coming from Amsterdam was 
stranded on Sandy Hook, but the passengers succeeded in get- 
ting to shore. Among them was a young Dutchman, who had 
been sick during most of the voyage. He was taken so sick 
after landing that he was unable to travel, and the other pas- 
sengers being afraid of the Indians, would not stay till he 
recovered, but made such haste as they could to New Am- 
sterdam. His wife, however, would not leave him. The rest 
promised to send on for him as soon as they arrived. They 
had not been long gone before a party of Indians, coming down 
to the water and hastily coming to the spot, discovered them, 
and soon killed the man, cutting and dreadfully mangling the 
woman, so that they left her for dead. She had strength enough, 
however, after they had gone, to crawl up to some logs not far 
distant, and getting into an old hollow one, lived there several 
days, upon what she could pick off from the tree. The Indians 
had left some fire on the beach, which she managed to keep 
together, and by that means she kept herself warm. She re- 
mained in this manner several days. On the seventh day she 
saw a deer pass with some arrows sticking in it, and soon after 
appeared two Indians, one an old man, the other a young man. 
She was glad to see them, hoping they would soon put her out 
of her misery. Accordingly one made towards her, to knock 
her in the head, but the elderly man prevented him. They had 
quite a dispute in reference to her, the old man insisting on 
keeping her alive, while the other wanted to dispatch her at 
once. After they had debated the point for a considerable 
time, the first hastily took her up, and tossing her upon his 
shoulder, carried her to his wigwam at Middletown, where he 
dressed her wounds and soon cured her. After some time the 
Dutch at New Amsterdam, hearing of a white woman among 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 77 

the Indians, concluded it must be her, and some of them came 
to her relief. The old man who had preserved her, gave her 
choice either to stay or go. She preferred the latter, and was 
taken to New York among her countrymen. In New York she 
married Richard Stout, being at that time in her twenty-second 
year, he being in his fortieth year, and an Englishman of good 
family. They settled at Middletown. The old Indian who 
saved her life used frequently to visit her. At one of his visits 
she observed him to be more pensive than common, and sitting 
down, he gave three pensive sighs. 

She then took the liberty of asking him what the matter was. 
He told her he had something to tell her in friendship, though 
at the risk of his own life, which was, that the Indians were 
that night to kill all the whites at Middletown, and advised her 
to go off to New Amsterdam. She asked him how she could 
get off, and he told her he had provided a canoe, at a place 
which he named. 

Having left her, she sent for her husband out of the field, 
and told him what the Indian had communicated to her, and 
he not believing it, she told him the old man had never 
deceived her, and that she with her children would go. Accord- 
ingly, going to the appointed place, she found the canoe and 
paddled off. 

When they were gone, her husband began to consider the 
matter, and sending for five or six of his neighbors, they set 
themselves upon their guard, and about midnight they heard 
the dismal war-whoop. Presently there came up a company of 
Indians. 

The inhabitants expostulated with them, and told them if they 
persisted in their bloody design, they would sell their lives very 
dear. 

Their arguments prevailed, and the Indians desisted and 
entered into a league of peace, which they kept inviolate. From 
this woman, thus miraculously saved, is descended a numerous 
posterity of the name of Stout, at present inhabiting New 
Jersey. 

She retained her scars throughout a long life, had several 
children, and lived to the age of one hundred and ten years. 



78 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

and before her death saw her offspring multiplied to five hundred 
and two, in about eighty-eight years. 

Her maiden name was Penelope Vanprinces, and she was 
born in Amsterdam, about the year 1602. 

When the Indians had killed her first husband, and as they 
thought, her too, they stripped them of their garments and left 
them on the beach for dead, Penelope, however, revived, 
although her skull was fractured and her left shoulder so injured 
that she was never after able to use it like the other ; besides, 
she was so cut across the body that her bowels protruded, and 
she was obliged to keep her hand upon her wound. 

At the time this affair occurred, there were supposed to be 
about fifty families of white people and five hundred Indians 
inhabiting this part of New Jersey. 

Carteret did not arrive in his province as governor of New 
Jersey till the latter part of the summer of 1665, until which 
time the province was under Nicholls' jurisdiction. 

On the arrival of Carteret, he summoned a council, granted 
lands, and administered the government on the plan of the 
general concessions, and took up his residence at Elizabeth 
Town, to which it is said he gave the name after Elizabeth, wife 
of Sir George Carteret. He brought with him about thirty 
people, some of them servants. They brought goods proper for 
the planting of a new colony, and the governor soon after sent 
persons into New England and other places for the purpose of 
publishing the proprietors' concessions and to invite people to 
settle there, upon which many soon came, some of whom settled 
at Elizabeth Town, others at Woodbridge, Piscataway, and 
Newark. 

The ship that brought the governor remained about six 
months, then returned to England, and the following year 
made another voyage. 

Sundry other vessels were from time to time sent by the pro- 
prietors with people and goods to encourage the planting and 
peopling the lands. Thus the province of East New Jersey in- 
creased in settlement, and continued to grow till the Dutch in- 
vasion in 1673, when they, having got possession of the country, 
some stop was put to the English government, but the treaty 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 79 

afterwards between King Charles II. and the Stages General, at 
London, 1673-4, put all general difficulties of that kind out of 
dispute. 

In the sixth article, we find the following : 

*' That whatever country, island, town, haven, castle, or for- 
tress, hath been, or shall be taken by either party from the 
other since the beginning of the late unhappy war, whether in 
Europe or elsewhere, before the expiration of the times above 
limited for hostility, shall be restored to the former owner in 
the same condition it shall be in at the time of publishing this 
peace." 

Though the inhabitants were at variance among themselves, 
there was also a considerable number of settlers arriving between 
the years 1665 and 1673, after which time they increased 
rapidly. 

But the Elizabethtown purchasers and others, setting up a 
right, differing in some respect from that of the proprietors, 
and other incidents, having fallen out, some of which were of 
considerable consequence, while others were so small in their 
nature, that one would think they might easily have been 
settled ; yet, being nourished by a more vindictive spirit than 
was necessary on all sides, they occasioned much disturbance 
among the settlers.* 

In the summer of 1672, Carteret went to England, and left 
Captain John Berry, his deputy, to govern the province during 
his absence. 

In 1674, he returned and found the inhabitants more dis- 
posed to peace and union among themselves. He brought over 
with him the King's proclamation, with a new commission and 
instructions from Sir George Carteret, whereupon he imme- 
diately summoned the people, and published them, which for 
a time had a good efFect towards restoring proprietary authority, 
and the public peace. He remained governor until his death 
in 16S2. 

* We do not propose to enter particularly into these disturbances, which in 
several instances vent to disreputable lengths. Governor Andross, of York, 
in 1680, undertook to dispute the commission of Governor Carteret, of 
Jersey, and sending to Elizabethtown, an amicd force, seized and carried him 
prisoner to New York. 



8o HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

During his time the councils and general assemblies, as well 
as the supreme courts, sat at Elizabethtown. The secretary's 
office, and nearly all the other public offices were located there, 
and the residences of most of the officers of the government 
were also there. 

In September, 1671, an extraordinary council was held at New 
York, composed of the principal officers of the two provinces. 
There were present at this council, Governor Francis Lovelace, 
together with the mayor and secretary of New York, Major 
Steenwick, Governor Philip Carteret, and Capt. James Carteret, 
of New Jersey. 

The cause of the assembling of this extraordinary council, was 
the arrival of William Tomm and Peter Alricks, from Delaware, 
with particulars of the Indian murders before mentioned ; that 
two Christians, (Dutchmen) had, as there related, been murdered 
by some Indians at the Island of Matinicunk,* on the Delaware. 
Alricks being present at the council, imparted to them of what 
nation these murderers were ; that they consisted of about fifty or 
sixty persons, and that the outrages committed on the river for 
the last seven years, had been traced to them ; that the Indians, 
who were their confederates, (as it was supposed they would be 
in case of war), numbered about one thousand persons, besides 
women and children. 

That two of the sagamores, (a King or Chief) of the nation of- 
the murderers, promised their best assistance to bring them to 
justice, or procure them to be knocked in the head, if sustained 
by the government, and that many other Indians he met on the 
road, severely disapproved the murder, were very sorry for it, 

* The upper island situated partly between Burlington and Bristol, after 
wards taken up by a proprietary right, by Robert Stacy, and by him given to 
Burlington, and in 1682 confirmed by a proprietary law, for the use of a free 
school, forever. It is detached from the main channel by a small channel 
occasioned by the waters of Assiscunk creek. When Gookin, a former gover- 
nor of Pennsylvania, was about obtaining a grant of the islands in the Dela- 
ware river, it is said the lords of trade excepted this island in their report to 
the King and council, as having been already occupied, and therefore not on 
a footing with the other islands. It is inconsiderable as to value, compared 
with many others, yet long possession and some improvements, have rendered 
it useful to Burlington. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 8i 

and offered every assistance in their power in apprehending the 
murderers. 

Alricks further stated, that it was proposed by the Sachems, 
(chiefs) as the best scheme to set upon this nation, to cause a 
kintecoy, (act of rejoicing or merriment), to be held, and that 
in the midst of their mirth one should be hired to knock them 
in the head ; and adding, as his own opinion, that the best time 
to fall upon them was about the 25th of October, because after 
that their usual custom was to go a hunting, and then they could 
not easily be found. But the immediate danger now was of their 
destroying the corn and cattle of the Christians, and that the 
murders were owing to Sashiowycan, who, having a sister dying, 
expressed great grief for her, and said the Mannetta hath killed 
my sister and I will go kill the Christians ; and taking another 
with him, they together executed the barbarous acts. 

The council, after having considered this information, came 
to the conclusion that Thomas Lewis, then bound with his sloop 
for New Castle, should delay his voyage for three or four days, 
at which time Alricks and Henry Courturier would be ready to 
go with him ; that in the mean time, general instructions should 
be given to take with them. That the Governor of New 
Jersey and Capt. James Carteret, (who were then present,) 
should, with as much expedition as possible, order a general as- 
sembly to be called in that government, (according to their cus- 
tom on all emergent occasions,) to know the strength of the 
people and their readiness, as well as how far they were willing 
to contribute towards the prosecution of a war against the In- 
dians. 

That a frequent correspondence be kept between the two gov- 
ernments, and that nothing be done in this Indian war without 
mutual advice and consent of both the governors, unless extra- 
ordinary opportunity should offer, where advantage against the 
enemy might suddenly be taken before notice could be given. 

These resolutions having been duly considered, the next step 
was to transmit instructions to William Tomm, (who was one of 
the commissaries appointed by Carre and the authority at New 
Castle, or a kind of deputy under them, ud the Delaware,) in 

F 



82 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

order that he might consider how a war could be prosecuted to 
the best advantage, as it required time to get things in order. 

All the scattering frontier plantations were immediately to 
thresh out or remove their corn, and so dispose of their cattle 
that they should receive the least damage by the effect of the 
war. Next he was to order that no one, on pain of death, should 
sell any powder, shot, or strong waters to the Indians, and that 
in the meantime the inhabitants were to carry (if such a thing 
was practicable) a seeming complacency with the nation to whom 
the murderers belonged, either by treaty or traffic, in order to 
avoid suspicion of the designs that were sought to be accom- 
plished. 

It was also directed that if they would deliver up the murder- 
ers, or their heads, the English were at liberty to assure them 
there would be no disturbance. 

Governor Lovelace also wrote to Carre to be vigilant in ma- 
king preparations for the war, and as directions could not be 
specific, the whole was left to his prudent management, with 
the advice of his commissaries. 

The next council held upon the subject was in November, at 
Elizabethtown. 

Governor Lovelace, Carteret, and a number of other persons 
were present. 

The season was now thought to be too far advanced to begin 
the war, but the magistrates were authorized to treat with the 
neighboring Sasquehana Indians, or others, to join together 
against the murderers, as well as such that harbored them, and 
to promise a reward for their apprehension, provided caution 
were used to create no sudden jealousy. But this proved un- 
necessary, as the Indians, uneasy about the murder, were not 
averse to a full revenge, as it aftervv^ards proved. 

In December, a party of them meeting at Rambo's, sent for 
Tomm and others, and promised within six days to bring in the 
murderers, dead or alive. Accordingly, two Indians sent by 
the sachems to take them, coming to Tashowycan's wigwam in 
the night, one of whom was his particular friend, he asked 
him if he intended to kill him ; he answered no, but the sach- 
ems have ordered you to die. He demanded what his brothers 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 83 

said, and being told they also said he must die, he then, holding 
his hands before his eyes, said, kill me. Upon this, the other 
Indian (not his intimate friend) shot him in the breast. They 
took his body to Wickaco, and afterwards hung it in chains at 
New Castle. The English gave the sachems for this five match- 
coats. 

The other murderer, hearing the shot, ran naked into the 
woods, and it was never afterwards known what became of him, 
but it was supposed he perished either from the effects of hunger 
or cold. 

The Indians, upon this death, summoned many of their young 
men, and in the presence of the English, told them that now 
they saw a beginning of punishment, and all that did the like 
should be served in the same way. 

Thus ended an affair which, to the settlers from the formida- 
ble body of the Indians, looked extremely discouraging. 

In 1672 the inhabitants at New Amstell (New Castle), and the 
Hoarkills suffered considerable loss by the Dutch privateers 
plundering their effects. As a reparation, they were empowered 
by the government to lay an imposition, and power was given 
to the magistrates to levy and receive upon each anchor of strong 
liquors disposed of among them, the real value of four guilders 
in wampum.* 

Wampum was the chief currency of the country. Great 
quantities had been formerly brought in, but the Indians had 
carried so much away, it had at this time (1673) grown scarce, 
and this was thought to be owing to its low value. To increase 

*Eight white wampums, or four black, passed at this time as a stiver (Dutch 
two cents, or one penny sterling) ; twenty stivers made what they called a 
guilder (about tliirty-eight cents, or one shilling and nine pence ster- 
ling). The white wampum was worl^ed out of the inside of the great 
conques into the form of a bead, and perforated to string on leather. The 
black, or purple, was worked out of the inside of a mussel, or clam-shell ; 
they were sometimes worn as broad as one's hand, and about two feet longj 
these the Indians called belts ; they were commonly given and received at 
treaties, as seals of their friendship. For smaller matters a single string was 
given. Every bead was of a known value, and a belt of a less number was 
made to equal one of a greater, by as many as were wanting fastened to the 
belt by a string. 



84 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

its value, the governor and council at New York issued a procla- 
mation, in 1673, that instead of eight white and four black, 
six white and three black wampums should pass in equal value 
as a stiver or penny, and three times as much the value in silver. 
This proclamation was published at Albany, Eusopus, Delaware, 
Long Island, and parts adjacent. 

Mention was made that Sir George Carteret, by his instruc- 
tions to Governor Carteret, confirmed the original concessions, 
with additions and explanations. These were dated July 13th, 
1674. Among other things, they directed that the governor 
and council should allow eighty acres per head to settlers above 
ten miles from the sea, the same from the Delaware, or other 
river, navigable with boats, and to those who settled nearer, 
sixty acres. That the land should be purchased from the 
Indians, as occasion required, by the governor and council, in 
the name of the proprietors, who were to be repaid by the set- 
tlers with all necessary charges. That all estrays of beasts at 
land and wrecks at sea should belong to the proprietor, and that 
all persons discovering any such thing should have satisfaction 
for their pains and care, as the governor and council might 
think fit. 

About the month of October, 1674, Major Edmund Andross,* 
arrived in the province, and assumed the government under the 
Duke of York. He issued a proclamation from New York, on 
the 9th of November, confirming all former grants, privileges, 
and concessions heretofore granted, and all estates legally pos- 
sessed by any under his Royal Highness before the late Dutch 
government, as also all legal judicial proceedings during that 
government, and also confirming the known book of laws estab- 
lished and in force under His Royal Highness' government. 

Andross being now seated in his government, we leave him to 
take a view of other matters. 

In 1675, a few passengers arrived from England to West 
Jersey. One-half of the province of New Jersey belonged to 

* He was afterwards knighted. He bore the unfavorable character of an 
arbitrary governor, -who made the will of his despotic master, (James H.,) and 
not the law, the chief rule of his conduct. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 85 

Lord John Berkeley, which was now about to be sold to John 
Fenwick, in trust for Edward Byllinge and his assigns. 

In this year, Fenwick set sail from London in a ship called the 
Griffith, to visit the new purchase. After a pleasant passage, he 
arrived and landed at a rich spot situate near Delaware, which 
he called Salem, from the peaceable aspect it then bore. He 
brought his two daughters with him and many servants, two of 
whom — Samuel Hedge and John Adams — afterwards married 
his daughters. 

Edward Champness, Edward Wade, Samuel Wade, John 
Smith and wife, Samuel Nichols, Richard Guy, Richard Noble, 
Richard Hancock, John Pledger, Hipolite Lufever, and John 
Matlock, were also passengers. These, and others with them, 
were masters of families. 

This was the first English ship that came to West Jersey, and 
for nearly two years after none followed, owing, probably, to a 
difference between Fenwick and Byllinge. 

This difference having been settled to the satisfaction of both 
parties by the good offices of William Penn, Byllinge agreed to 
present his interest in the province of New Jersey to his cred- 
itors to satisfy them for the obligations he had incurred, and 
desired William Penn to join Gawen Lawrie and Nicholas Lucas, 
two of his principal creditors, they three to act as trustees. 
Penn was at first unwilling to accept of the trust, but by the 
importunity of some of the creditors, he was at last prevailed 
upon to accept it, and with the others accepting the charge, 
they became trustees for one moiety, or one-half of the pro- 
vince, which, though yet undivided, they were so pressed 
that they were compelled to sell a considerable number of the 
shares of their property to different purchasers, who by virtue 
of the-ir purchases became proprietors according to their number 
of shares, and they therefore found it necessary that some 
scheme should be adopted, as well for the better distribution of 
the land as to promote its settlement, and establish a form of 
government ; concessions for which were mutually agreed upon, 
and signed by a number of the subscribers. 

These concessions gave the proprietors, or a majority of them, 
imder their hands and seals, power to act as commissioners for 



86 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the time being, with power to order and manage the estate and 
affairs of the province of West Jersey, and in case of the death 
of any of them, the remaining to depute others to act in their 
stead. 

They were to take care of the setting forth and dividing all 
lands, and to take up and contract witli the natives, and to 
divide the said lands into one hundred parts, as occasion should 
require, the same to be divided into ten equal parts or share ^, to 
be marked on the register, and upon some of the trees belonging 
to every tenth part, with the letters A, B, and so end with the 
letter K; and after the same was so marked and divided, they 
were to grant unto Thomas Hutchinson, of Beverly, Thomas 
Pearson, of Bonwicke, Joseph Helmsley, of Great Kelke, George 
Hutchinson, of Sheffield, and Mahlon Stacy, of Hansworth, all 
of the county of York, who should speedily promote the planting 
of the province. 

They had power to appoint and set out proper places for 
towns, and to limit the boundaries, taking care that they were 
regularly built, as the occasion, time, and conveniency of the 
place would admit of. 

And they were to order the affairs of the province in accord- 
ance with the concessions, or any other instructions that might 
be given them by a majority of the proprietors, until such time 
as other commissioners should be aDDointed by the inhabitants 
of West Jersey. 

And upon the settlement of the province, the proprietors, 
freeholders, and inhabitants resident upon the province, were to 
meet together in some public place, ordered and appointed by 
the commissioners, on the 25th day of March, 16S0, and 
annually on that day in every year thereafter, at nine o'clock in 
the morning, and elect from among themselves ten honest and 
able men fit for government, to officiate and execute the position 
of commissioners for the ensuing year, to hold said office until 
such time as ten more shall be elected and appointed. 

Each ten of the one hundred proprieties were to elect and 
choose one, and the one hundred proprieties were to be divided 
into ten divisions or tribes. 

The proprietors were to grant to every person planting or 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 87 

settling in the province, for his own person arriving, seventy 
acres of land, English measure ; and for every able-bodied man 
servant he may carry with him, seventy acres of land ; and for 
every weaker servant, male or female, exceeding the age of 
fourteen years, fifty acres of land ; and after the expiration of 
their time of service they were to have fifty acres of land for 
their own use, for which they were to pay annually to the pro- 
prietors one penny an acre for what shall be laid out in towns, 
and one half-penny for all others, the first yearly payment to 
begin within two years after the lands were lain out. 

And to those who arrived the second year, fifty acres of land, 
whether freemen or servants. 

And to those arriving in the third year, forty acres of land, 
provided their intention was to plant in said province. 

They were to receive a certificate from the register. 

Portions of land were also granted for highways and streets, 
not under one hundred feet in breadth, in cities, towns, and 
villages, and for wharves, keys, harbors, and for public houses, 
in such places as the commissioners should appoint. 

They were to see that the courts duly executed the laws of the 
province, and to displace and punish all officers violating the 
same, or acting contrary to their duty and trusts. They had 
also power to reprieve or suspend sentence for the time being, 
or until the case could be reviewed by higher authority. 

All officers were accountable to the commissioners, and they 
in turn were accountable to the general assembly. 

They were not to impose any tax, custom, or subsidy, tollage, 
assessment, or any other duty whatsoever on the inhabitants, 
without their consent, other than that which should be imposed 
by the general assembly. 

All officers were to subscribe in a book, that they will truly 
and faithfully discharge their respective trusts, according to the 
law of the province, and do equal justice and right to all men, 
according to their best skill and judgment, without corruption, 
favor, or affection. 

These concessions, comprising forty-five chapters, contained 
the common law or fundamental rights of the province. For 
the prevention "of fraud, deceit, collusion in bargains, sales. 



88 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

trades, and traffic, and the usual contests, quarrels, debates, and 
utter ruin, which have attended the people in many nations, by 
costly, tedious, and vexatious law-suits, and for a due settlement 
of estates, and taking care of orphans. The povers of the gen- 
eral assembly, when and how they were to be chosen, and all 
other matters requisite to the government of the province. 

The next business of the proprietors who held immediately 
un'^er Lord Berkeley, was to procure a division of the province, 
which, after some delay, they succeeded in effecting, after which 
they wrote the following letter to Richard Hartshorne : 

"London, 26th of the sixth month, 1676. 

"We have made use of thy name in a commission and in- 
structions, which we have sent by James Wasse, who is gone in 
Samuel Groome's ship for Maryland, a copy of which is here 
enclosed, and also a copy of a letter we have sent to John Fen- 
wick, to be read to him in presence of as many of the people 
that went with him as may be ; and because we both expect and 
also entreat and desire thy assistance in the same, we will a lit- 
tle shew things to thee, that thou may inform not only thyself 
but friends there; which, in short, is as follows: 

" ist. We have divided with George Carteret, and have sealed 
deeds of partition, each to the other, and we have all that side 
on Delaware river from one end to the other; the line of par- 
tition is from the east side of little Egg Harbor, straight north, 
through the country, to the utmost branch of Delaware river ; 
with all powers, privileges, and immunities whatsoever; ours is 
called New West Jersey, his is called New East Jersey. 

"2d. We have made concessions by ourselves, being such as 
friends here and there (we question not) will approve of, having 
sent a copy of them by James Wasse ; there we lay a founda- 
tion for after ages to understand their liberty as men and Chris- 
tians, that they may not be brought in bondage, but by their 
own consent ; for we put the power in the people, that is to say, 
they to meet and choose one honest man for each propriety, 
who hath subscribed to the concessions ; all these men to meet 
as an assembly there, to make and repeal laws, to choose a gover- 
nor, or a commissioner, and twelve assistants, to execute the 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 89 

laws during their pleasure j so every man is capable to choose or 
be chosen. 

" No man to be arrested, condemned, imprisoned, or molested 
in his estate or liberty, but by twelve men of the neighborhood. 
No man to lie in prison for debt,* but that his estate satisfy as 
far as it will go, and he set at liberty to work. 

" No person to be called in question or molested for his con- 
science, or for worshipping according to his conscience, with 
many other things mentioned in the said concessions. 

" 3. We have sent over James Wasse, a commission under our 
hands and seals, wherein we empower thyself, James Wasse, and 
Richard Guy, or any two of you, to act and do according to 
the instructions of which here is a copy, having also sent some 
goods to buy and purchase some lands of the natives. 

** 4. We intend in the spring to send over some more commis- 
sionersf with the friends and people that cometh there, because 
James Wasse is to return in Samuel Groom's ship for England ; for 
Richard Guy, we judge him to be an honest man, yet we are 
afraid that John Fenwick will hurt him, and get him to con- 
descend to things that may not be for the good of the whole. 
So we hope that thou wilt balance him to what is just and fair; 
that John Fenwick betray him not ; that things may go on easy 
without hurt or jar, which is the desire of all friends ; and we 
hope West Jersey will soon be planted, it being in the minds of 
many friends to prepare for their going against the spring. 

"5. Having thus far given thee a sketch of things, we come 
now to desire thy assistance, and the assistance of other friends 
in your parts, and we hope it will be at length an advantage to 
you there, both upon truth's account and other ways. And in 
regard to many families, more may come over in the spring to 
Delaware side to settle and plant, and will be assigned by us to 
take possession of their particular lots. We do intreat and 

* Thus it will be seen that among the earliest acts of our fsrcfathers, im- 
prisonment for debt was unknown, and free toleration for worship was strictly 
enforced. 

f A person purchasing ten proprieties became a commissioner, or a num- 
ber of persons together purchasing ten proprieties, had power to choose from 
among themselves a commissioner. 



90 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

desire, that thou, knowing the country, and how to deal with 
the natives, we say, that thee, and some other friends, would 
go over to Delaware side as soon as this comes to your hands, 
or as soon as you can conveniently. And James Wasse is to 
come to a place called New Castle, on the other side of Dela- 
ware river, to stay for thee, and any that will go with him ; and 
you and all to advise together, and find out a fit place to take 
up for a town, and agree with the natives for a tract of land, 
and then let it be surveyed and divided in one hundred parts, 
for that is the method we have agreed to take, and we cannot 
alter it. And if you set men to work to clear some of the 
ground, we would be at the charges. And we do intend to 
satisfy thee for any charge thou art at, and for thy pains. 
This we would not have neglected, for we know, and you that 
are there know, that if the land be not taken up before the 
spring, that many people come over there, the natives will 
insist on high demands, and so we shall suffer by buying at 
dear rates, and our friends that cometh over, be at great trouble 
and charges until a place be bought and divided. For we do 
not like the tract of land John Fenwick hath bought, so as to 
make it our first settlement. But we would have thee and 
friends there to provide and take up a place on some creek or 
river, that may lie near you, and such a place as you may like ; 
for may be it may come in your minds to come over to our side 
when you see the hand of the Lord with us. And so we can 
say no more, but leave the thing with you, believing that friends 
there will have a regard to friends settling ; that it may be done 
in that way and method, that may be for the good of the whole. 
Rest thy friends. 

" GAWE^J Laurie, 
"William Penn, 
** Nicholas Lucas, 
" E. Byllinge, 
*' John Eldridge, 
"Edmond Warner.' 

The proprietors sent over instructions to James Wasse, Richard 
Hartshorne, Richard Guy, and others, giving them full power, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 91 

commission, and authority, or any two of them, to act, and do 
according to the instructions, engaging to ratify and confirm 
whatever they should do in prosecution of the same. They 
were to get a meeting with John Fenwick, and the people that 
went with him (but to conceal from them their business) until 
they got them together, then they were to show and read the 
deed of partition with George Carteret ; also the transactions 
between William Penn, Nicholas Lucas, Gawen Laurie, John 
Eldridge and Edmond Warner, and then read the letter of the 
proprietors to John Fenwick and the rest, and show him that 
he had no power to sell any land there, without the consent of 
John Eldridge and Edmond Warner And if he was willing 
peaceably to let the land he had taken up of the natives be 
divided into one hundred parts, that then those that had settled 
and cultivated ground with him, should enjoy the same without 
being turned out. 

The instructions were quite lengthy, and bore date London, 
the iSth of 6th month, called August, 1676. 

The instrument for dividing the province being agreed upon 
by Sir George Carteret, on the one part, and the said E. Byl- 
linge, William Penn, Gawen Laurie, and Nicholas Lucas on the 
other, they together 'signed a quintipartite deed, dated the ist 
day of July, 1676.* 

The line of division having been thus far settled, each took 
their own measures for further peopling and improving their 
different shares. Sir George Carteret had greatly the advantage 
over the others in respect to improvements, his part having been 
already peopled to a considerable extent. 

The western proprietors at once published a description of 
their moiety, upon which many soon removed thither. In order 
that others might understand the importance of the undertaking, 
the three principal proprietors published a cautionary epistle. 

This epistle contains in its introductory many Christian senti- 
ments. It also sets forth that there is such a province as New 
Jersey; that the country is wholesome of air, and fruitful of 
soil, and capable of sea trade ; that the Duke of York sold it to 
Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret ; that one-half of the 



* Grants and Concessions, by Learning & Spicer, p. 61. 



92 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

said province was sold by Berkeley to John Fenwick, in trust 
for Edward Byllinge and his assigns; that Byllinge, through the 
kind offices of William Penn, was willing to present his interest 
in the province to his creditors, being all he had left to satisfy 
them, and that he had desired William Penn, a disinterested 
person, together with Gawen Lawrie and Nicholas Lucas, two 
of his creditors, to be trustees on behalf of his creditors; both 
parties had complied with the same, and that they had, after 
considerable trouble, labor, and cost, succeeded in obtaining a 
division between Sir George Carteret and themselves as trustees; 
they therefore divided their half into one hundred parts, lots, 
or proprieties, ten of which were settled and conveyed to Fen- 
wick, with a considerable sum of money, by way of satisfaction 
for his interest in the purchase from Lord Berkeley, and by hina 
afterwards conveyed to John Eldridge and Edmond Warner. 
The ninety remaining parts were to be exposed for sale, on 
behalf of the creditors of Byllinge, and as a number of friends 
were concerned as creditors, the trustees made the first offer to 
them to purchase the lands. 

Among some of the purchasers of these lands were two com- 
panies, one composed of friends from Yorkshire, the other of 
friends from London. In 1677, commissioners were sent by 
the proprietors, with power to buy the land from the natives. 

These commissioners were, Thomas Olive, Daniel Wills, 
John Kinsey, John Penford, Joseph Helmsley, Robert Stacy, 
Benjamin Scott, Richard Guy,"^' and Thomas Foulke. 

They came over in the Kent, Gregory Marlow, master. This 
was the second ship from London. They arrived at New Castle 
the 1 6th of the sixth month, O. S., and sailed up to Rackoon 
creek, where they landed their passengers, two hundred and 
thirty in number. At the time of their leaving London, King 
Charles II. was pleasuring in his barge on the Thames, and having 
come alongside of them, and seeing a large number of passengers 
aboard, he inquired whence they were bound, and having been 



* Richard Guy came in the first ship. John Kinsey died at Shackamaxon 
soon after landing, and his remains were interred at Burlington, in ground 
appropriated for a burying ground. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 93 

informed of their destination, he asked if they were all quakers, 
and gave them his blessing. 

At the place where they landed the Swedes had erected some 
habitations, but they were not sufficient to accommodate all, and 
some of them were obliged to lay their beds and furniture in cow 
stalls, and the like places. Snakes were so numerous that they 
were frequently seen upon the hovels, under which they took 
shelter. 

The commissioners having left before them, landed at Chygoes 
island,* (afterwards Burlington) their business being to treat with 
the Indians about the purchase of the lands, and arrange for the 
settlements. They had Governor Andross' commission as well 
as that of the proprietors, for the vessel upon which they were 
had dropped anchor at Sandy Hook, and remained there while 
the commissioners went to New York to acquaint the governor 
of their design. 

The governor treated them civilly, but learning they had 
nothing from the Duke of York, refused to surrender the gov- 
ernment to them, and clapping his hand on his sword, told 
them he should defend the government from them till he 
received orders from the duke, his master, to surrender it. He, 
however, afterwards told them he would do what was in his 
power to make them easy till they could send home to get 
redress. He also granted a commission to the same persons 
mentioned in the paper produced by them from the proprietors-! 

They accepted his commission, and acted as magistrates under 
him until they received further orders from England, but in 
matters relating to land, they proceeded according to the 
method prescribed by the proprietors. 

When they arrived at their government they applied to the 
Swedes for interpreters between them and the Indians. The 
persons recommended to them were Israel Helmes, Peter 
Rambo, and Lacy Cock. 

By the help of these interpreters, they made a purchase from 



*From Chygoe, an Indian Sachem, who lived there. 

t John Fenwick, having neglected this precaution as to the government of 
his tenth, was sent for as a prisoner to New York. 



94 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Timber creek to Rankokus creek, another from Oldman's creek 
to Timber creek. After this they procured the services of 
Henric Jacobson Falconbre as interpreter, and by his assistance 
they purchased from Rankokus creek to Assanpink creek. But 
after having agreed upon this last purchase, they found they had 
not sufficient Indian goods to pay the amoimt agreed upon, yet 
they gave them what they had to get the deed signed, but were 
compelled to agree with the Indians not to settle until the bal- 
ance was paid. 

The deed for the lands between Rankokus and Timber creeks 
bears date September loth, 1677 ; that from Oldman's to Tim- 
ber creek, September 27th, and that from Rankokus to Assan- 
pink creek, October loth. 

By the consideraton paid for the lands between Oldman's and 
Timber creek, a judgment may be formed of the rest. "It 
consisted of thirty matchcoats, twenty guns, thirty kettles and 
one great one, thirty pairs of hose, twenty fathoms of duffelds, 
thirty petticoats, thirty narrow hoes, thirty bars of lead, fifteen 
small barrels of powder, seventy knives, thirty Indian axes, 
seventy combs, sixty pairs of tobacco tongs, sixty scissors, sixty 
tinshaw looking glasses, one hundred and twenty awl-blades, 
one hundred and twenty fish-hooks, two grasps of red paint, 
one hundred and twenty needles, sixty tobacco boxes, one hun- 
dred and twenty pipes, two hundred bells, one hundred jews- 
harps, six anchors of rum." 

In 1703 another purchase was made by the council of pro- 
prietors of West Jersey, of lands lying above the falls of Dela- 
ware ; also another about the same time of lands at the head of 
Rankokus creek, and several purchases afterwards included the 
whole of the lands worth taking up in West Jersey, except a few 
plantations reserved to the Indians. 

Among the friends that arrived from Yorkshire in 1677, were 
Thomas Hutchinson, of Beverly, in the county of York, yeo- 
man ; Thomas Pierson, of Bonwicke, in the same county, yeo- 
man ; Joseph Helmsley, of Great Kelkc, in the same county, 
yeoman ; George Hutchinson, of Sheffield, in the same county, 
distiller ; and Mahlon Stacy, of Hansworth, in the same county, 
tanner. These were all principal creditors to Edward Byllinge, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 95 

and to whom several of the other creditors made assignments of 
their debts, which together amounted to the sum of two thou- 
sand four hundred and fifty pounds sterling, and who took in 
satisfaction of the said sum, seven full, equal, and undivided nine- 
tieth parts of ninety equal and undivided hundred parts of West 
Jersey, and the same was conveyed to them, their heirs and 
assigns, by William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, Nicholas Lucas, and 
Edward Byllinge, by deed bearing date the ist of the month 
called March, 1676; and by another conveyance of the same 
date, from and to the same persons, in satisfaction for other 
debts to the amount of one thousand and fifty pounds sterling, 
three other full, equal, and undivided ninetieth parts of the 
aforesaid ninety equal and undivided hundred parts of West 
Jersey, were also conveyed. 

In the records of the council of proprietors, the following 
entries relating to the purchases from the Indians are made : 

" At a meeting of the council of proprietors at Burlington, 
the 2d day of November, Anno 1703, present, George Deacon, 
president; Samuel Jennings, Thomas Gardner, Christopher 
Wetherill, John Reading. Ordered, that John Wills, William 
Biddle, Jr., and John Reading, or any two of them, do go up 
to the Indians above the Falls, and particularly to Caponocus, 
in order to have the tract of land lately purchased of the Indians 
marked forth, and get them to sign a deed for the same ; as also 
to receive the residue of the goods as yet unpaid, or so many of 
them that can be had, and to give him an obligation for the 
payment of the remaining part next spring. Ordered, likewise, 
that the persons abovesaid do go to Nimhammoe's wigwam, in 
order to treat with him, to see the bounds of the land lately 
purchased of him, to mark the same if it may be, and to pay 
him what part of the goods is already procured in part toward 
the said purchase, and to do what else may be necessary towards 
perfecting purchases of the concerns with the said Indians, and 
completing of the aforesaid ; the said persons also taking with 
them Thomas Foulke and Andrew Heath, or some other proper 
person, to be an interpreter between them and the Indians." 

At a meeting of the council of proprietors held at Burlington, 
June 27th, 1703, there were present Mahlon Stacy, Thomas 



96 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Gardner, John Wills, George Deacon, Christopher Wetherill, 
Samuel Jennings, and John Reading, At this meeting the 
persons appointed to treat with the Indians at the Falls re- 
ported, " that they met with the Indians, and made a full 
agreement with them, with Nimhammoe, for one tract of land 
adjoining the division line, lying on both sides of the Raritan 
river; also, with Coponnockous for another tract of land, lying 
between the purchase made by Adlorde Bonde and the bounds 
of the land belonging to Nimhammoe, fronting upon Delaware 
river." 

At a meeting of the council of proprietors held at Burlington 
on the 2Sth, application was made by many of the proprietors 
of land that they might be allowed a third dividend or taking 
up of land in proportion to their particular and respective rights 
in the province, notice was thereupon ordered to be given that 
a purchase had been made of lands situate above the Falls of 
Delaware, and requesting all proprietors who were concerned in 
the same, or expected to receive benefit thereby, to meet with 
the council at Burlington, on the 19th day of July next, in order 
to receive more particular information upon said subject, and 
concerning said purchase, and upon what terms and conditions 
it was made, and to deposit their respective proportions of said 
purchase, and all charges accruing thereby. 

In accordance with the above order, the council of pro- 
prietors m.et again on the 19th of July. Present, Samuel Jen- 
nings, Thomas Gardner, George Deacon, Christopher Wetherib, 
John Hugg, Isaac Sharp, and John Reading, the president 
being absent. 

It was ordered that the proprietors be informed — 
First. That the council had made two Indian purchases, 
amounting to, according to their best computation, the number 
of one hundred and fifty thousand acres, at the least, the cost 
whereof to the Indians, with other incidental charges, will amount 
to about the sum of seven hundred pounds. 

Second. That it is the design of the said council to give pub- 
lic notice to the proprietors in England and elsewhere, what 
purchase is already made, of the opportunity of purchasing more 
lands that may be sufficient to allow the number of five thous- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 97 

and acres for each dividend to a propriety, and of the cost there- 
of, which, by as near an estimation as they could make, will be 
about twenty-four pounds propriety for each dividend, and that 
if the said proprietors will appoint their agents, and defray their 
proportionable part of the charges on or before the 20th day of 
July, 1 704, that then they shall receive their respective rights, 
after the same method that the rest of the proprietors do, at any 
time after the iSth of October, 1704. 

Third. But if the said absent proprietors shall neglect or re- 
fuse to pay their parts of the said charge, then that the said 
Indian purchase already made, shall be taken up by such proprie- 
tory residents in these parts that shall deposit their respective 
parts of the said purchase, which at five thousand for the divi- 
dend to a propriety, will amount to about thirty proprieties, 
which we judge will nearly answer all the proprietors who are or 
have agents in these parts. 

Fourth. It is expected that all such proprietors, who design to 
be interested for the Indian purchase, do in some short time, 
advance their particular parts of the said costs, in order to pay 
the Indians off, according to agreement made with them. 
Jeremiah Basse, attorney to the West Jersey Society, made a 
purchase on their behalf, in 1693, of the lands between Cohan- 
sick creek and Maurice's river. Many other Indian purchases 
were before and afterwards made, from time to time, as the lands 
were wanted, in both East and West Jersey. 

G 



CHAPTER V. 

1680 — 1703. 

Settlement of the first, or Yorkshire tcntn — Settlement of the second, 
or London tenth — The first carpenter that came to this country — 
John Kinsey — His account of the country — Thomas Hooteii s ac- 
count — Mahlon Stacy's account — West New [ej-scy — First As- 
sembly. 

Having traveled through the country and viewed the land, the 
Yorkshire commissioners, Joseph Helmsley, William Emley, and 
Robert Stacy, on behalf of the first purchasers, chose from the 
Falls of Delaware down, which was hence called the first tenth. 
The London commissioners, John Penforde, Thomas Olive, 
Daniel Wills, and Benjamin Scott, on behalf of the ten London 
proprietors, chose at Arwaumus, (in and about where the city of 
Gloucester now is;) this was called the second tenth. 

In order to begin a settlement there, Olive sent iip servants to 
cut hay for the cattle he had bought, but when the London com- 
missioners found the others were likely to settle at such a dis- 
tance, they told them if they would agree to settle near them, 
they would join in settling a town,* and that they should have 
the largest share, in consideration that they, (the Yorkshire com- 
missioners,) had the best land in the woods. Being few, and 
the Indians numerous, they agreed to it. 

The commissioners employed Richard Noble, a surveyor, who 
came in the first ship, to divide the spot. 

After he had ascertained the main street, he divided the land 

* In pursuance of the charter brought with them from England. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 99 

on each side into lots, those on the east among the Yorkshire 
proprietors, the other among the London proprietors. 

In order to begin a settlement, ten lots of nine acres each, 
bounding on the west, were laid out ; that done, some passen- 
gers from Wickaco, chiefly concerned in the Yorkshire tenth, 
arrived in the latter end of October. 

The London commissioners also employed Noble to divide 
the part of the island yet unsurveyed, between the ten London 
proprietors, in the manner before mentioned. 

The town thus laid out by mutual consent between the York- 
shire and London commissioners, was first called New Beverly, 
afterwards Bridlington, but was soon after changed to Burling- 
ton, its present name. 

Some who came in the ship last mentioned and settled in the 
neighborhood of Burlington, were Thomas Olive, Daniel Wills, 
William Peachy, William Clayton, John Crips, Thomas Harding, 
Thomas Nositer, Thomas Fairnsworth, Morgan Drewet, William 
Pennton, Henry Jenings, William Hibcs, Samuel Lovett, John 
Woolston, William Woodmancy, Christopher Saunders, and 
Robert Powell. 

John Wilkinson and William Perkins, were likewise with their 
families passengers, but died on the voyage. Perkins was early 
in life convinced of the principles of the Quakers. He was 
from Leicestershire, and was in the fifty-second year of his age 
when he started with his wife and four children and some ser- 
vants for this country. 

There also came over a man by the name of Marshall, a car- 
penter by trade, whom they found particularly serviceable in 
fitting up the habitations of the new comers, but it was late in 
the fall when they arrived, and the winter was much spent be- 
fore they had commenced their habitations; during which time 
they lived in wigwams, built after the manner of the Indians. 
They were supplied with Indian corn and venison by the natives. 
These people were not much then corrupted with strong drinks, 
and in their general conduct they proved themselves very friendly, 
and rendered every assistance in their power to the English. 

They were told that the English sold them the small-pox in 



loo HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

their matchcoats.* This distemper was among them, and a 
company getting together to consult about it, one of their chiefs 
said : " In my grandfather's time the small-pox came. In my 
father's time the small-pox came; and now in my time is the 
small-pox come." Then stretching his hands towards the skies, 
said : *' It came from thence." To this the rest assented. 

Having traced this ship's company into winter quarters, the 
next in course was the Willing Mind, John Newcomb, comman- 

* Thomas Budd, who owned a share of a propriety in West Jersey, and 
was ancestor to a large family there, arrived at Burlington in 1768, in a 
pamphlet describing the country about nine or ten years afterwards, says : 

" The Indians told us in a conference at Burlington shortly after we came 
into the country, that they were advised to make war on us, and cut us off 
while we were but few, for that we sold them the small-pox with the match- 
coats they had bought of us, which caused our people to be in fears and 
jealousies concerning them. Therefore, we sent for the Indian Kings to 
speak with them, who, with many more Indians came to Burlington where 
we had a conference with them about the matter. We told them we came 
amongst them by their own consent, and had bought the land of them, for 
which we had honestly paid them, and for what commodities we had bought 
at any time of them, we had paid them for, and had been just to them, and 
had been from the time of our first coming, very kind and respectful to them; 
therefore, we knew no reason that they had to make war on us, to which one 
of them, in behalf of the rest, made this speech in answer : ' Our young men 
may speak such words as we do not like nor approve of, and we cannot help 
that ; and some of your young men may speak such words as you do not like, 
and you cannot help that. We are your brothers, and intend to live like 
brothers with you. We have no mind to have war, for when we have war, 
we are only skin and bones ; the meat that we eat doth not do us good ; we 
always are in fear; we have not the benefit of the sun to shine on us; we 
hide us in holes and corners ; we are minded to live in peace. If we intend 
at any time to make war upon you, we will let you know of it, and the reasons 
why we make war with you ; and if you make us satisfaction for the injury 
done us, for which the war was intended, then we will not make war on you ; 
and if you intend at any time to make war on us, we would have you let us 
know of it, and the reason ; and then if we do not make satisfaction for the 
injury done unto you, then you may make war on us ; otherwise you ought not 
to do it. You are our brothers, and we are willing to live like brothers with 
you. We are willing to have a broad path for you and us to walk in, and if 
an Indian is asleep in this path, the Englishman shall pass by and do him no 
harm; and if an Englishman is asleep in this path, the Indian shall pass him 
by and say : ' He is an Englishman ; he is asleep ; let him alone ; he loves to 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. loi 

der. She arrived from London in November, and dropped 
anchor at Elsingburg. She brought about sixty or seventy pas- 
sengers. Some of these settled at Salem, others at Burlington. 
Among the former were James Nevill, Henry Salter, and George 
Deacon, with their families. 

In this year, also, arrived the fly-boat Martha, of Burlington, 
(Yorkshire), sailed from Hull the latter end of summer, with one 
hundred and fourteen passengers, designed to settle the York- 
shire tenth. 

sleep. It shall be a plain path. There must not be in this path a stump to 
hurt our feet. And as to the small -pox, it was once in my grandfather's time, 
and it could not be the English that could send it to us then, there being no 
English in the country. And it was once in my father's time, they could not 
send it us then neither ; and now it is in my time, I do not believe that they 
have sent it us now. I do believe it is the man above that hath sent it us.' 

" Some are apt to ask, how we can propose safely to live amongst such a 
heathen people as the Indians, whose principles and practices leads them to 
war and bloodshed, and ours, on the contrary, to love enemies ? I answer, 
that we settled by the Indians' consent and good liking, and bought the land 
of them that we settle on, which they conveyed to us by deeds under their 
hands and seals, and also submitted to several articles of agreement with us, 
not to do us any injuiy. But if it should so happen that any of their people 
at any time should injure or do harm to any of us, then they to make us 
satisfaction for the injury done ; therefore, if they break these covenants and 
agreements, then in consequence of them, they may be proceeded against as 
other offenders, viz. : to be kept in subjection to the magistrate's power, in 
whose hand the sword of justice is committed, to be used by him for the 
punishment of evil doers, and praise of them that do well. 

" Therefore, I do believe it to be both lawful and expedient to bring 
offenders to justice by the power of the magistrate's sword, which is not to be 
used in vain, but may be used against such as raise rebellion and insurrections 
against the government of the country, be they Christians or Indians, (now 
that these have so far agreed to abide by the laws of civil government,) other- 
wise, it is in vain for us to pretend to magistracy or government, it being that 
which we own to be lawful, both in principle and practice. The Indians have 
been very serviceable to us by selling us venison, Indian corn, pease and 
beans, fish and fowl, buck-skins, beaver, otter, and other skins and furs. The 
men hunt, fish, and fowl, and the women plant the com and carry burthens. 
There are many of them of a good understanding, considering their education, 
and in their public meetings of business they have excellent order, one speak- 
ing after another; and while one is speaking all the rest keep silent and 
do not so much as whisper one to the other. 



I02 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Some masters of families who came in this ship were, Thomas 
Wright, William Goforth, John Lynam, Edward Leason, William 
Black, Richard Dungworth, George Miles, William Wood, 
Thomas Schooley, Richard Harrison, Thomas Hooten, Samuel 
Saylor, Marmaduke Hoisman, William Oxley, William Ley, and 
Nathaniel Luke, the families of Robert Stacy and Samuel Odas; 
Thomas Ellis and John Batts,* servants, sent by George Hutch- 
inson, also came in this ship. 

" We had several meetings with them. One was in order to put dcv,".i the 
sale of ruin, brandy, and other strong liquors to them, they being a people 
tliat have not government of themselves so as to drink in moderation. 

" At this time there were eight kings, (one of them was Okanickon, a noted 
friend to the English,) and many other Indians. The kings sat on a form, and 
we on another over against them. They had prepared four belts of wampum, 
(so tlieir current money is called, being black and white beads, made cf a fish- 
shell,) to give us as seals of the covenant they made with us. One of the 
kings, by the consent and appointment of the rest, stood up and made the 
following speech : 

" The strong liquor was first sold to us by the Dutch, and they were blind, 
they had no eyes ; they did not see that it was for our huit. The next people 
that came among us were the Swedes, who continued the sale of those strong 
liquors among us ; they were also blind, they had no eyes, they did not see it 
to be hurtful to us to drink it, although we know it to be hurtful to us. But if 
people will sell it to us, we are so in love with it that we cannot forbear it. 
When we drink it, it makes us mad. We do not know what we do. We 
then abuse one another. We throw each other into the fire. Seven score of 
our people have been killed by reason of the drinking of it, since the time it 
was first sold us. Those people that sell it are blind — they have no eyes. But 
now there is a people come to live amongst us that have eyes. They see it to 
be for our hurt, and we know it to be for our hurt. They are willing to 
deny themselves the profit of it for our good. 

"These people have eyes. We are glad such a people have come amongst 
us. We must put it down by mutual consent. The cask must be sealed up. 
It must be made fast. It must not leak by day nor by night — in the light nor 
in the dark; and we give you these four belts of wampum, which we would 
have you lay up safe, and keep by you, to be witnesses of this agreement that 
we make with you, and we would have you tell your children that these four 
belts of wampum are given you to be witnesses betwi.\t us and you of this 
agreement." 

* Many that came over as servants succeeded better than some that bought 
estates. The first, inured to industry and the ways of the countiy, became 
wealthy; while the others, obliged to spend what they had in the difficulties 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 103 

In one of these ships, about this time, arrived John Kinsey, 
then a young man. His father was one of the commissioners pre- 
viously mentioned, but dying on his arrival, the care of the 
family fell to the son. He was afterwards a man of distinction 
in several public stations, and his son after him, of the same 
name, held many public offices, and was at one time chief justice 
of Pennsylvania. There were three of the family bearing the 
name of John. 

Those of the settlers who came here were so much pleased 
with the country, that they wrote glowing descriptions of it to 
their friends at home. 

John Crips, in writing to Henry] Stacy, gave the following 
account : 

** From Burlington, in Delaware river, ) 
the 26th of the Sdi month, 1677. j 
" Dear Friend : 

"Through the mercy of God, we are safely arrived at New 
Jersey. My wife and all mine are very well, and we have our 
healths rather better here than we had in England. Indeed the 
country is so good, that I do not see how it can reasonably be 
found fault with. As far as I perceive, all the things we heard 
of it in England are very true, and I wish that many people 
(that are in straits) in England, were here. 

*' Here is good land enough lies void, would serve many thou- 
sands of families, and we think if they cannot live here, they can 
hardly live in any place in the world. But we do not desire to 
persuade any to come, but such as are well satisfied in their own 
minds. A town lot is laid out for us in Burlington, which is a 
convenient place for trade. It is about one hundred and fifty 
miles up the river Delaware. The country and air seems to be 
very agreeable to our bodies, and we have very good stomachs to 
our victuals. 

*' Here is plenty of provision in the country. Plenty of fish 
and fowl, and good venison very plentiful, and much better than 
ours in England, for it eats not so dry, but is full of gravy, like 

of first improvements, and others living too much on their original stock, for 
want of sufficient care to improve their estates, had, in many instances, dwin- 
dled to indigency and want. 



I04 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

fat young beef. You that come after us need not fear the trouble 
that we have had, for now here is land divided ready against you 
come. The Indians are very loving to us, except here and there 
one, when they have gotten strong liquors in their heads, which 
they now greatly love. But for the country in short, I like it 
very well, and I do believe that this river of Delaware is as 
good a river as most in the world. It exceeds the river Thames 
by many degrees. 

" Here is a town laid out for twenty proprieties, and a straight 
line drawn from the river side up the land, which is to be the 
main street, and a market place about the middle. The York- 
shire ten proprietors are to build on one side, and the London 
ten on the other side ; and they have ordered one street to be 
made along the river side, which is not divided with the rest, but 
in small lots by itself, and every one that hath any part in a 
propriety is to have his share in it. The town lots for every 
propriety will be about ten or eleven acres, which is only for a 
house, orchard, and gardens, and the corn and pasture grounds 
is to be laid out in great quantities. 

"I am thy loving friend, 

"John Crips." 

Thomas Hooten wrote to his wife under date of 29th of 8th 
month, 1677. 

"My Dear: 

"I am this present at the town called Burlington, where our 
land is. It is ordered to be a town for the ten Yorkshire and 
ten London proprietors. I like the place well. Our lot is the 
second next the water side. It's like to be a healthful place, and 
very pleasant to live in. I came hither yesterday, being the 
28th of October, with some friends that were going to New 
York. I am to be at Thomas Olive's house till I can provide 
better for myself. 

*' I intend to build a house and get some corn into the 
ground, and I know not how to write concerning thy coming, 
or not coming hither. The place I like very well, and believe 
that we may live here very well. But if it be not made free — I 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 105 

mean as to the customs and government* — then it will not be so 
well, and may hinder many that have desires to come. 

" But if those two things be cleared, thou may take thy 
opportunity of coming this summer. 

,' "Thomas HooTEN." 

William Clark wrote to William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, and 
Edward Byllinge, the proprietors, in the same glowing terms of 
the new province. His letter was dated New Jersey, 20th 2d 
month, 1678. 

John Crips wrote to his brother and sister under date of Bur- 
lington, in New Jersey, upon the river Delaware, the 19th of 
4th month, called June, 1678. He also gave a glowing account 
of the State, in which we find the following passage : 

"And this I can truly tell you, if I were now in England 
with you (and which I should be very glad to see), yet if all I 
had in the world would but bring me hither, I would freely 
leave you and my native country, and come to New Jersey again. 
It's reported the water is not so good as in England. I do not 
remember that ever I tasted better water in any part of England 
than in the springs of this place do yield, of which is made very 
good beer and ale ; and here is also wine and cider." 

In the loth month, O. S., 1678, arrived the ship Shield from 
Hull, Daniel Towers, commander. She dropped anchor at 
Burlington, and was the first ship that came so far up the Dela- 
ware. 

Against Coaquanock,f being a bold shore, sne went so near 
in turning that part of her rigging struck the trees. Some on 
board then remarked that it was a fine place for a town. A 
fresh gale brought the ship to Burlington. She moored to a 
tree, and the next morning the people came on shore on the ice, 

* The customs were those imposed at Ne\T Castle upon all comers. The 
government was at this time administered by virtue of Governor Andross' 
commission, both which were unexpected and disagreeable, but these objec- 
tions were soon i^emoved. 

f The Indian name for the place where Philadelphia now stands. 



io6 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.' 

so hard had the river suddenly frozen. In her came William 
Emley, the second time, with his wife and two children, one 
born on the passage; also two men and two women servants; 
Mahlon Stacy, his wife, children, and several servants, men and 
women ; Thomas Lambert, his wife, children, and several men 
and women servants ; John Lambert and servant ; Thomas 
Revell, his wife, children, and servants; Godfrey Hancock, his 
wife, children, and servants ; Thomas Potts, his wife and chil- 
dren ; John Wood and four children; Thomas Wood, his wife 
and children ; Robert Murfin, his wife and two children ; Rob- 
ert Schooley, his wife and children ; James Pharo, his wife and 
children; Susannah Fairnsworth, her children and two servants; 
Richard Tattersall, his wife and children ; Godfrey Nevvbold, 
John Dewsbury, Richard Green, Peter Fretvvell, John Fretwell, 
John Nevvbold, one Barnes, a merchant from Hull ; Francis Bar- 
wick, George Parks, George Hill, John Heyres, and a number 
more. 

This same year there also arrived in the province a ship from 
London, which brought over John Denn, Thomas Kent, John 
Hollinshead, with their families ; William Hewlings, Abraham 
Hewlings, Jonathan Eldridge, John Petty, Thomas Kirley, and 
others. Some of these settled at Salem and others at Burlington. 
About the same time^ as well as several years afterwards, the 
following settlers arrived from England, and settled at Burling- 
ton : John Butcher, William Butcher, Henry Grubb, William 
Brightwin, Thomas Gardner, John Bucld, John Bourten, Seth 
Smith, Walter Pumphrey, Thomas Ellis, James Satterthwaite, 
Richard Arnold, John Woolman, John Stacy, Thomas Eves, 
Benjamin Duffeld, John Payne, Samuel Cleft, William Cooper, 
John Shinn, William Biles, John Skein, John Warrel, Anthony 
Morris, Samuel Bunting, Charles Read, Francis Collins, Thomas 
Mathews, Christopher Wetherill, John Devvsberry, John Day, 
Richard Basnett, John Antrom, William Biddle, Samuel Fur- 
nace, John Ladd, Thomas Raper, Roger Higgins, and Thomas 
Wood. 

We have mentioned in a previous chapter the conquest by the 
Dutch of New York and New Jersey, and the accounts fur- 
nished of that affair, though sufficient to authenticate the facts, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 107 

are defective. Sir George Carteret, in a public declaration 
to the inhabitants, under date of July 31st, 1674, asserts it posi- 
tively. The author of the history of New York, on i)ages 29, 
30, 31, says : " A few Dutch ships arrived the 30th of July, 
1673, under Staten Island, a few miles distant from the city of 
New York. John Manning, captain of an independent com- 
pany, had at that time the com.mand of the fort, and by a mes- 
senger sent down to the squadron, treacherously made his peace 
with the enemy. On that very day the Dutch ships came up, 
moored under the fort, landed their men, and entered the garri- 
son without giving or receiving a shot. This was in the s^hip 
Shield. A council of war was afterwards held at the Stadt 
House, at which were present Cornelius Evertse, Jun., and Jacob 
Benks, commodores, and Anthony Colne, Nicholas Boes, Abra- 
ham Ferd, Van Zell, captains. All the magistrates and consta- 
bles from East Jersey, Long Island, Esopus, and. Albany were 
immediately summoned to New York, and the major part of them 
swore allegiance to the States General and the prince of 
Orange. Colonel Lovelace was ordered to depart the province, 
but afterwards obtained leave to return to England with Commo- 
dore Benkes. It has often been insisted upon that this conquest 
did not extend to the whole province of New Jersey, but upon 
what foundation we are unable to discover. From the Dutch 
records it appears that deputies were sent by the people inhabit- 
ing the country, even so far westward as Delaware river, who, 
in the name of their principles, made a declaration of their sub- 
mission, in return for which, certain privileges were granted 
them, and three judicatories erected at Niewer Amstel, Upland, 
and Hoarkill. The Dutch governor enjoyed his office but a 
very short time, for on the pih of February, 1674, the treaty of 
peace between England and the States General was signed at 
Westminster; the sixth article of which restored this country to 
England." 

In 1673, New York and New Jersey were yielded to King 
Charles II. by the general article of the treaty of peace. 

It was to prevent any disputes that might arise upon a plea of 
the property thus alienated from the first purchasers, that the 
King, by his letters patent, bearing date June 29lh, 1674, granted 



io8 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

unto the Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, the several tracts of 
land in America, which by the former letters patent had been 
granted to him, and of which New Jersey formed a part. In this 
year, upon the application of the assigns of Lord Berkeley, the 
Duke made them a new grant of West New Jersey, and in like 
manner by an instrument bearing date October loth, he granted 
the eastern moiety of New Jersey to the grandson of Sir George 
Carteret. 

We have previously introduced a few letters from some of the 
first settlers of New Jersey, containing accounts of their several 
situations, and general sentiments of the country, its general 
fertility, and healthfulness of its climate. More might be added, 
but the following is all we propose to introduce in this place. 

Mahlon Stacy wrote to his brother Revell and others, in Eng- 
land, under date of 26th of the 4th month, 16S0. 

" But now a word or two of these strange reports you have of 
us and our country. I affirm they are not true, and fear they 
were spoke from a spirit of envy. 

" It is a country that produceth all things for the support and 
sustenance of man, in a plentiful manner. If it were not so, I 
should be ashamed of what I have before written, but I can 
stand, having truth on my side, against and before the face of all 
gainsayers and evil spies. I have travelled through most of the 
places that are settled, and some that are not, and in every place 
I find the country very apt to answer the expectation of the 
diligent. 

" I have seen orchards laden with fruit to admiration, their 
very limbs torn to pieces with the weight, and most delicious to 
to the taste, and lovely to behold. 

" I have seen an apple tree from a pipin kernel, yield a barrel 
of curious cider, and peaches in such plenty that some people 
took their carts a peach gathering, I could not but smile at the 
conceit of it. They are a very delicate fruit, and hang almost 
like our onions that are tied on ropes. 

"I have seen and known this summer, forty bushels of bold 
wheat of one bushel sown, and many more such instances I could 
bring, which would be too tedious here to mention. We have, 
from the time called May until Michaelmas, great store of good 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 109 

wild fruits, as strawberries, cranberries, and hurtleberries, 
which are like our bilberries in England, but far sweeter. They 
are very wholesome fruits. The cranberries, much like cherries 
for color and bigness, which may be kept till the fruit come 
in again. An excellent sauce is made of them for venison, tur. 
keys, and other great fowl, and they are better to make tarts 
than either gooseberries or cherries. We have them brought to 
our houses by the Indians, in great plenty. My brother Robert 
had as many cherries this year as would have loaded several 
carts. It is my judgment, by what I have observed, that fruit 
trees in this country destroy themselves by the very weight of 
their fruit. As for venison and fowls, we have great plenty. 
We have brought home to our houses, by the Indians, seven or 
eight fat bucks of a day, and s'ometimes put by as many, having 
no occasion for them ; and fish in their season, very plenteous. 
My cousin Revell and I, with some of my men, went last third 
month into the river to catch herrings, for at that time they 
came in great shoals into the shallows. We had neither rod nor 
net, but after the Indian fashion, made a round pinfold, about 
' two yards over, and a foot high, but left a gap for the fish to go 
in at, and made a bush to lay in the gap to keep the fish in ; 
and when that was done, we took two long birches and tied 
their tops together, and went about a stone's cast above our said 
pinfold. Then hauling these birches' boughs down the stream, 
where we drove thousands before us; but so many got into our 
trap as it would hold, and then we began to haul them on shore 
as fast as three or four of us could, by two or three at a time ; 
and after this manner, in half an hour, we could have filled a 
three bushel sack of as good and large herrings as I ever saw. 
And as to beef and pork, here is great plenty of it, and cheap. 
And also good sheep. The common grass of this country feeds 
beef very fat. I have killed two this year, and therefore I have 
reason to know it; besides, I have seen this fall, in Burlington, 
killed, eight or nine fat oxen and cows on a market day, and all 
very fat. And though I speak of herrings only, lest any should 
think we have little other sorts, we have great plenty of most sorts 
of fish that ever I saw in England ; besides several other sorts that 
are not known there, as rocks, cat-fish, shads, sheeps-head, stur- 
geons, and fowls plenty, as ducks, geese, turkies, pheasants, 



110 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

partridges, and many other sorts that I cannot remember, and 
would be too tedious to mention. Indeed, the country, take it as 
a wilderness, is a brave country, though no place will please all. 
*' But some will be ready to say, he writes of conveniences, 
but not of inconveniences. In answer to these, I honestly 
declare, there is some barren land, as (I suppose) there is in 
most places of the world, and more wood than some would have 
upon their lands. Neither will the country produce corn with- 
out labor, nor cattle be got without something to buy them, nor 
bread with idleness, else it would be a brave country indeed; 
and I question not but all would then give it a good word. For 
my part, I like it so well, I never had the least thought of return- 
ing to England, except on the account of trade. 

" Mahlon Stacy." 

He wrote another letter to William Cook, of Sheffield, dated 
from the Falls of Delaware,* in West New Jersey, the 26ih of 
the 4th month, i6So, in which he says : ** This is a most brave 
place, whatever envy or evil spies may speak of it. I could 
wish you all here. Burlington will be a place of trade quickly, 
for here is a way of trade." After speaking of ships he had 
fitted out and sent to Barbadoes and the West Indies, he winds 
up by saying, " I never repented my coming hither, nor yet re- 
membered thy arguments and outcry against New Jersey, with 
regret. I live as well to my content, and in as great plenty as I 
ever did, and in a far more likely way to get an estate. Though 
I hear some have thought I was too large in my former, I affirm 
it to be true, having seen more with mine eyes in this time since, 
than ever yet I wrote of "f 

* Trenton. 

■}• The inhabitants of West Jersey had hitherto either pounded their com or 
ground it with hand mills. But about this time Thomas Olive had built his 
water mill on his plantation, near Rankokus creek, and Stacy had finished 
his mill at Trenton, on tbe Assanpink, where the paper mill of Harry Mc- 
Call now stands. This mill of Stacy's was rebuilt of stone, and continued 
good until 1843, when it was destroyed by a flood in the Assanpink. These 
two were the only mills that supplied the country round for several years. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. m 

Daniel Wills, in writing to William Biddle, of Bishop's-gate 
street, London,* from Burlington, under date of 6th of nth 
month, 1679-80, says: 

" Dear Friend : 

" Let every man write according to his judgment, and this is 
mine concerning this country. I do really believe it to be as 
good a country as any man need to dwell in. And it is much 
better than I expected every way for land, I will assure thee. 
Here is as good by the judgment of men as any in England, and 
for my part I like the country so well, and it is so pleasant to me 
that if I had a good estate in land in England, I should not 
come to live upon it, for through industry here will be all things 
produced that are necessary for a family as in England, and far 
more easy, I am satisfied." 

Though the passengers who had already come to West Jersey 
were well satisfied with the country, things in general being found 
beyond their expectations, yet they labored under one great 
inconvenience. The governor of New York had at a very early 
day imposed a tax of ten per cent, on all goods imported into 
the province, and on exports even something of the kind still 
existed; five per cent, being demanded of the settlers upon their 
arrival, or afterwards, at the pleasure of the officer, and that not 
according to the cost of the goods, but upon the invoices, as 
shipped in England. 

This was an arbitrary act, as neither West Jersey nor the 
Hoarkill was legally under his jurisdiction. 

The settlers bore it patiently till about 16S0, although from 
the first they complained of it, yet by the interposition of their 
friends in England, the wrong was redressed. Complaint was 
made to the Duke of York, who referred the matter to the coun- 
cil, where it rested for some time, but at last by the good offices 
of William Penn, George Hutchinson and others, it was decided 
in favor of the settlers. Sir John Werden, on behalf of the 
Duke, wrote to have it discontinued. 



'■ William .and Sarah Biddle, with their family, removed to West Jersey in 
the summer of 1681. 



112 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The arguments used against this duty or impost were as fol- 
lows : 

"To those of the Duke's commissioners whom he has ordered 
to hear and make report to him concerning the customs deman- 
ded in New West Jersey, in America, by his governor of New 
York. 

*^They set forth — 

" ist. The fact of the grant of a tract of land in America, by the 
King, to the Duke of York, consisting of several Indian countries, 
with power and authority to make laws, and to govern and pre- 
serve the territory when planted ; provided, the said statutes, 
ordinances, and proceedings be not contrary, but as near as may 
be, agreeable to the laws, statutes, and government of the realm 
of England. It also gave to the Duke of York, whom he terms 
his dearest brother, his heirs and assigns, authority to make, 
ordain, and establish all manner of orders, laws, directions, 
instruments, and forms of government, and magistrates fit and 
necessary for the territory aforesaid, but with this limitation, so 
always as the same be not contrary to the laws and statutes of 
this our realm of England, but as near as may be, agreeable 
thereto. 

" 2d. By virtue of this grant the Duke of York for a compe- 
tent sum of money, (paid by the Lord John Berkeley and Sir 
George Carteret,) granted, and sold to them, a tract of land, 
now called by the name of New Csesaria, or New Jersey, in as 
ample a manner as it was granted by the King to the Duke. ' ' 

Under this, they bought the half that belonged to Lord 
Berkeley for a valuable consideration, and in the conveyance he 
made them, powers of government were expressly granted, for 
under no other considerations could they have been induced to 
purchase, for the reason, that the government of any place, to 
all prudent men, is more inviting than the soil ; because even 
though the land was good, without good laws, it would not be 
desirable, and unless they could assure the people of an easy, 
free, and safe government, both with respect to their spiritual 
and worldly property, an uninterrupted liberty of conscience, 
and an inviolable possession of their civil rights and freedoms, 
by a just and wise government, a mere wilderness would be no 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 113 

encouragement, for it were a madness to leave a free, good, and 
improved country to plant in a wilderness, and there adventure 
many thousand pounds, to give an absolute title to another per- 
son to tax us at will and pleasure. This single consideration, 
we hope, will excuse our desire of the government, not asserted 
for the sake of power, but safety, and not only for ourselves, but 
others, that the plantation might be encouraged. 

3d. That Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, considering 
how much freedom invites, that they might encourage people to 
transport themselves into these parts, made and divulged certain 
concessions containing a model of government. Upon these 
several went and planted ; the country was thus possessed, and 
the government uninterruptedly administered by said Lord 
Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, or their deputy, for several 
years, during which no custom was demanded. 

4th. They dealt with said Lord Berkeley upon the faith of 
these concessions, and the presumption that neither he nor Sir 
George Carteret would attempt to carry out anything they had 
not power to do, much less, that they or either of them would 
pretend to sell a power they never had, since that would not 
only be a cheat to the people that dealt with them for it, but a 
high affront to the Duke. 

5th. The half of New Csesaria thus bought of Lord Berkeley, 
they had disposed of part of their interest to several hundreds of 
people, honest and industrious, who had come hither with their 
household goods, and such tools as were requisite for planters to 
have. Upon their arrival they are saluted with a demand of 
custom of five per cent., and that not as the goods may be there 
worth, but according to the invoice as they cost before shipped 
in England, nor did they take them as they came, but at pick 
and choose, with some severe language to boot. 

"This is our grievance, and for this we made our applica- 
tion to have speedy redress, not as a burden only, with respect 
to the quantum or the way of levying it, but as a wrong ; for we 
complain of a wrong done us, and ask yet with modesty, quo 
jure ? Tell us the title by what right or law are we thus used, 
that may a little mitigate our pain ? Your answer hitherto has 
been this. That it was a conquered country, and that the King 

H 



114 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

being the conqueror, he has power to make laws, raise money, 
&c., and that this poweryV/ri? regale, the King hath vested in the 
Duke, and by that right and sovereignty, the Duke demands that 
custom we complain of. But suppose the King were an absolute 
conqueror in the case depending, doth his power extend equally 
over his own English people as over the conquered ? Are not 
they some of the letters that make up the word conqueror ? Did 
Alexander conquer alone, or Caesar beat by himself? No! 
Shall their armies of countrymen and natives lie at the same 
mercy as the vanquished, and be exposed to the same will and 
power with their captive enemies ? 

" Natural right and humane prudence oppose such doctrine 
all the world over ; for what is it but to say that people, free 
by law under their prince at home, are at his mercy in the 
plantations abroad ; and why ? because he is a conqueror there, 
but still at the hazard of the lives of his own people, and at the 
cost and charge of the public. 

" To conclude this point, we humbly say, that we have not 
lost any part of our liberty by leaving our country ; for we 
leave not our King nor our government by quitting our soil, but 
we transplant to a place given by the same King, with express 
limitation to erect no polity contrary to the same established 
government, but as near as may be to it." 

They insisted upon the equity of their case — 

" ist. This very tax of five per cent, is a thing not to be 
found in the Duke's conveyances. 

" 2d. New Jersey never paid custom before last peace, and 
that peace reinvests every proprietor. 

"This tax, in plain English, is under another name, paying 
for the same thing over twice. The lands were bought by us for 
a valuable consideration here, and is now purchased again of 
the natives there, too. 

" 3d. Custom, in all governments in the world, is laid upon 
trade, but this upon planting is unprecedented." 

This custom was taken off as appears by a letter from Samuel 
Jennings,* directed to William Penn, Edward Byllinge, or 
Gawen Lawrie, under date of the 17th of October, 1680. 

*Hej with his family, removed from Coles' Hill, on the upper side of Bucks 
county, about the third month, 1680. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 115 

The western part of New Jersey had now become populous, 
by the accession of many settlers. Samuel Jennings, arrived 
the year before, and received a commission from Byllinge to be his 
deputy. He called an assembly, and with them agreed upon 
certain fundamental principles of government. 

They enacted that there should be a general free assembly for 
the province, to meet yearly, at a certain day, chosen by the 
free people of the province, to consider the affairs of the prov- 
ince and make and ordain laws for the good government and 
prosperity of the free people of the province. 

The governor, with the consent of his council, could convene 
them whenever he might think proper, to consider matters 
relating to the province. 

He was required, with as little delay as the case admitted of, 
to sign and confirm all acts of the assembly. 

He or his council, or any of them, was not to make or raise 
war at any time, under any pretence whatever, or to raise any 
military forces within the said province, without the consent and 
act of the general free assembly. 

They were not to make or enact any laws for the province 
without the consent, act, and concurrence of the general assem- 
bly; and in case of violation of the same, if found guilty upon 
legal conviction, they were to be deemed and taken for enemies 
to the free people of the province, and the acts were to be void. 

The general assembly were not to be prorogued or dissolved 
before the expiration of one whole year from the day of election, 
without their own free consent. 

They were not to levy or raise any sum or sums of money, or 
any other tax, without the act, consent, and concurrence of the 
general assembly. 

All officers of State or trust were to be nominated and elected 
by the general free assembly, and they were to be accountable 
to that body, or to such as they should appoint. 

They were forbidden to send ambassadors, or make treaties, 
or enter into alliances, upon the public account of the province, 
without the consent of the assembly. 

The general assembly were not to give to the governor any 
tax or custom for a longer time than for one year. 



ii6 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The liberty of conscience in matters of faith and worship to- 
wards God, was granted to all people within the province who 
should live peaceably and quietly therein ; and no one was to be 
rendered incapable of office in respect to his faith and worship. 

Upon the acceptance by the governor, and performance of 
the proposals therein expressed, the general assembly, pro- 
prietors and freeholders of the province of West Jersey, were 
to accept Samuel Jennings as deputy governor. 

These fundamentals, as they were termed, were signed by 
Samuel Jennings, deputy governor ; and Thomas Olive, speaker. 

This assembly sat from the 21st to the 28th of November, 
and passed thirty-six laws, besides the above. Many of these 
laws were repealed a few years afterwards. Some of them were 
in substance, as follows : 

That it should be the business of the governor and commis- 
sioners to see that all courts executed their offices, and to punish 
such officers as should violate the laws ; that lands legally taken 
up and held, planted and possessed seven years, should not be 
subject to alteration ; that all officers of trust should subscribe 
to do equal right and justice ; that no person should be con- 
demned or hurt, without a trial of twelve men, and that in 
criminal cases, the party arraigned to except against thirty-five 
or more upon valid reasons ; that in every court, three justices, 
or commissioners, at least, to sit and assist the jury in cases of 
law, and pronounce the judgment of the jury ; that false wit- 
nesses be fined, and disabled from being admitted in evidence, 
or into any public office in the province ; that persons prosecu- 
ting for private wrong (murder, treason, and theft excepted,) 
might remit the penalty or punishment, either before or after 
condemnation ; that juries should be summoned by the sheriff, 
and none be compelled to see an attorney to plead his cause ; 
that all wills should be first proved and registered, and then 
duly performed ; that upon persons dying intestate, and leaving 
a wife and child, or children, the governor and commissioners 
for the time being, were to take security, that the estate should 
be duly administered, and the administrator to secure two-thirds 
for the child or children, the other to the widow; where there 
was no children, one moiety or half the estate was to go to the 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 117 

next of kin, the other half to the widow; always provided, such 
estate exceed one hundred pounds, otherwise the widow to have 
the whole ; and in cases of leaving children and no provision, 
the charge of bringing them up to be paid out of the public 
stock ; that felons should make restitution four- fold, or as twelve 
of the neighborhood should determine ; and such as hurt or 
abuse the person of any, be punished according to the nature of 
the offence ; that whosoever presumed, directly or indirectly, to 
sell any strong liquors to any Indian or Indians, should forfeit 
for every such oifense, the sum of three pounds ; that ten men 
from Burlington, and ten from Salem, should be appointed to lay 
out and clear a road from Burlington to Salem, at the public ex- 
pense ; that two hundred pounds should be equally levied and 
appropriated for the charges of government, upon the several 
tenths, twenty pounds each ; every man to be assessed according 
to his estate, and all handicrafts, merchants, and others, at the 
discretion of the assessors. Persons thinking themselves aggrieved 
had the liberty of appealing to the commissioners of the tenth 
they belonged to. 

Having agreed upon these and other laws, the commissioners 
next fixed the method of regulating lands. 

That the surveyor was to measure of the river Delaware, be- 
ginning at Assunpink creek, and from thence down to Cape 
May ; that each and every tenth, or ten proprieties, shall have 
their proportion of front to the river Delaware, and so far back 
into the woods as will make or contain sixty-four thousand acres 
for their first settlement, and for the sub-dividing the Yorkshire 
and London two-tenths. 

To allow three thousand and two hundred acres where tha 
parties concerned please to choose it within their own tenth, to 
be taken up according to the following rules : One eighth part 
of a propriety, and so for smaller parts, to have their full propor- 
tion of the lands in one place, and greater purchases or shares 
not to exceed five hundred acres, to one settlement. 

That all lands so taken up and surveyed shall be seated within 
six months after it is so taken up ; and if not taken up and seated 
within the said time, then such choice and survey to be void, 
and the same lands shall be free for any other purchaser to take 



ii8 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

up, provided, they shall seat it within one month after it is so 
taken up. 

No person was allowed to take up lands on both sides of the 
creek, except by consent of the commissioners, for good cause. 

No person was allowed to have more than forty perches front 
on the river or navigable creek, for each and every hundred 
acres, except it fall upon a point so that it cannot be otherwise 
avoided, which was to be left to the commissioners. 

All lands were to be laid out on straight lines, in order that 
no vacancies may be left, but that they be joined one seat to 
another, except the commissioners should order it otherwise. 

All persons were to take their just proportion of meadow. 

All persons already located were to have liberty to make their 
settlement their choice. 

Every proprietor was to have four hundred acres to his pro- 
priety, and so proportionably to lesser quantities for his town 
lot, over and above his three thousand two hundred acres, 
which may be taken anywhere within his own tenth, either 
within or without the town bounds. 

No person who had taken up a town lot, had liberty to leave 
it, and take a lot elsewhere ; but he was required to keep the lot 
he had taken up as his town lot. 

Thomas Wright was required to keep his settlement of four 
hundred acres. 

No purchaser was allowed to take up more land within his 
town bounds than belongs to his town bounds by virtue of his 
purchase. 

No person or persons, (who were not purchasers to whom 
town lot or lots were given,) were allowed to dispose of, or sell 
his or their lots of land from their house or houses, and in case 
they should do so, such sale was void, and the lots were forfeited 
to the use of the town of Burlington, to be disposed of at the 
discretion of the commissioners. 

No person was allowed to take up any without special order 
from two or more of the commissioners. 

All settlements not agreeable to the commissioners and the 
aforesaid rules and regulations, were liable to the regulations 
aforesaid. 

The proprietors yet remaining in England were to be notified 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 119 

that it was necessary for the speedy settlement of the province, 
and for the interest of all concerned therein, to allow to every 
propriety three thousand two hundred acres, for their first choice, 
and in case many people should come and desire to settle, they 
reserved liberty to take up so much land more, not exceeding 
five thousand two hundred acres ; provided that none should take 
up any proportion of land but as they should settle it. 

All public highways were to be set forth at the discretion of 
the commissioners, in or through any lands taken up, or to be 
taken up, allowing the owners thereof reasonable satisfaction, at 
the discretion of the commissioners. 

The rules and methods hereby agreed upon were not to make 
void or disannul any settlements heretofore made in the York- 
shire tenth, who had seated according to a former agreement, 
who had not taken up more than fifty perches for each hundred 
acres on the river and navigable creek, and having kept their 
due breadth and bounds from the same. 

These articles were signed and sealed the 5th of December, 
1 68 1, by Samuel Jennings, governor; Thomas Olive, Thomas 
Budd, Robert Stacy, Benjamin Scott, Thomas Gardiner, Daniel 
Wills, Mahlon Stacy, Thomas Lambert.* 

Those who had taken up any lands within the first and second 
tenth in the province, were required to bring in their deeds and 
titles to Benjamin Scott and Robert Stacy, Thomas Budd and 
Thomas Gardiner, on or before the 1 2th day of January, and all 
who should, after this date, take up lands within the first and 
second tenth, were to make application to the same parties, and 
to make oath that the said lands so taken up actually belonged to 
them ; and the commissioners being satisfied of the same, were 
to order the surveyor to lay out and survey said lands, and to 
make return of the same at the next court held at Burlington, 
that it may be registered. 

This was signed by Samuel Jennings, governor; Thomas 
Olive, Robert Stacy, Thomas Budd, Daniel Wills, Thomas Gar- 
diner, and Benjamin Scott, and dated the 14th of the eleventh 
month, 1 68 1. 

* Thomas Lambert purchased and settled Lamberton, now the sixth ward 
of Trenton. 



CHAPTER VI. 

1681— 1682. 

Ijidian tribes — Modes of burial — Superstitions — Care of the sick — 
Care of their children — Marriageable ages — Marriage ceremo- 
nies — Representatives chosen by the proprietors — Laws passed 
by the governor — Council and assembly — Third and last grant 
of the Duke of York. 

IT would be vain to undertake to give a particular account of 
all the different tribes or nations of Indians inhabiting these 
provinces before the Europeans came among them, there being 
probably a tribe for every ten or twenty miles, which were com- 
monly described and distinguished by the name of creeks, or 
other noted places where they resided ; thus, there were the 
Assunpink,* the Rankokas,f the Mingo, J the Andastaka, the 

* Stony Creek, from its gravelly bottom. 

■}• This was called Ankokas, as the Indians did not pronounce the R at all ; 
they were also called Lamikas, or Chichequas, the latter of which was the 
proper name. 

\ Indian knowledge about the weather were received topics of conversation. 
Some of their maxims have been found as true as things of that kind generally 
are. If Jacob Taylor's intelligence be right, they also predicted. "A sachem 
of this tribe (he says) being observed to look at the great comet, which 
appeared the ist of October, I680, and asked what he thought was the mean- 
ing of that prodigious appearance, answered gravely : It signifies that we 
Indians shall melt away, and this country be inhabited by another people." 
How this Indian came by his knowledge, without the learned Whiston's astro- 
nomical tables, or whether he had any knowledge, is not so material. He 
will, however, be allowed as good a right to pretend to it, when the event is 
considered, as the other had in his conjecture concerning the cause of 
Noah's flood. This, at least, till the regularity of the comets' motions were 
better known. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY 121 

Neshaminie, and the Shackamaxon Indians, and those about 
Burlington were called the Mantas, from the frogs which inhab- 
ited the creeks called Manta, or Mantua, in Gloucester ; a large 
tribe resided there. 

These and others were all of them distinguished from the 
Back Indians, who were a more warlike people, by the general 
name of the Leni Lenapes, or Delawares. The nations most 
noted from home, that sometimes inhabited New Jersey and the 
first settled parts of Pennsylvania, were the Naraticongs, on the 
north side of Raritan river ; the Capitinasses, the Gacheos, the 
Munseys, the Pomptons, the Senecas, and the Maquaas.* This 
last was the most numerous and powerful. Different nations 
were frequently at war with each other, of which husbandmen 
sometimes find to this day remaining marks in their fields. 

A little below the falls of Delaware, on the Jersey side, at a 
place opposite Point-no-point, in Pennsylvania, and several 
other places, were, until a few years back, banks that had been 
formerly thrown up for intrenchments against incursions of the 
neighboring Indians, who, in their canoes, used to go in war- 
like bodies from one province to another. 

It was customary with the Indians of West Jersey, when they 
buried their dead, to put family utensils, bows and arrows, and 
sometimes money (wampum) into the grave with them, as tokens 
of their affection. 

When a person of note died far away from the place of his 
residence, they would convey his bones to his domicil for 
burial, carrying out the practice of the patriarchs of old. They 
washed and perfumed their dead, painted the face, and followed 
to their last resting place the remains, in single or Indian file. 
Their dead was left in a sitting posture, and the grave was 
covered pyramidically ; thus showing their origin from the 
Egyptians and other patriarchal countries. 

They were careful in preserving and repairing the graves of 
the dead, and visited them in great solemnity. They were 
averse to being asked their opinion twice about the same thing. 

*The Five Nations, before the sixth was added; but few of whom had their 
residence in New Jersey. They are supposed to have been sometimes, in 
fishing seasons, among the others here. They were called by the Dutch, 
Mahaknase. 



122 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

They abounded in mirthfulness, observed with great care the 
roots and herbs that grew, and used them for the cure of all 
bodily diseases, both by outward and inward applications ; besides 
which, they used sweating and the cold bath* for the cure of 
diseases. 

They had an aversion to beards, and would not permit them 
to grow, but plucked the hair out by the roots. The hair of their 
heads was black, which they generally kept saturated with bear's 
grease, particularly the women, who tied it behind in a large knot, 
sometimes in a bag. They called persons and places by the 
names of remarkable things, or birds, or beasts and fish. 

Thus : Pea-hala, a duck ; Cau-hawuk, a goose ; Quink- 
Quink, a tit ; Pallupa, a buck ; Shingas, a wild-cat ; and they 
observed it as a rule, when the rattlesnake gave notice by his 
rattle before he approached, not to hurt him ; but if he rattled 
after they had passed, they would immediately return and kid 
him. 

They were very loving to one another ; if several of them 
came to a Christian's house, and the master of it gave one of 
them victuals and none to the rest, he would divide it into equal 
shares among his companions. If the Christian f visited them, 
they would give them the first cut of their victuals ; they would 
not eat the hollow of the thigh of anything they killed. | Their 
chief employment was hunting, fishing, and fowling, and making 
canoes, bowls, and other wooden and earthen ware, in all which 
they were, considering their means, very ingenious. They 
boiled their water in earthen bowls manufactured by themselves. 

The chief business of the women was planting corn, parching 
or roasting it, pounding it into flour in mortars, or breaking it 

*The mode was first to enclose the patient in a narrow cabin, in the 
middle of which was a red hot stone, frequently wet with water, pro- 
ducing a warm vapar. The patient, sufficiently wet with this and ^his own 
sweat, was hurried to the next creek or river, and plunged into it. This was 
repeated as often as was necessary, and sometimes great cures were performed. 
But this rude method at other times killed, notwithstanding the hardy nature 
of the patients, especially in the small pox and other European disorders. 

•}■ They called all white men Christians. 

X Showing their Jewish origin. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 123 

between stones, then making it into bread, and dressing and 
cooking victuals. Sometimes in their culinary operations they 
were observed to be very clean, and at other times quite the 
reverse. 

The women also made ropes, mats, hats, baskets, (some of 
which were very curious.) These were made of wild hemp, 
roots, and splits of trees. 

Their young women were originally very modest and shame- 
faced, and at marriageable ages distinguished themselves with a 
kind of worked mat, or red or blue baize, interspersed with 
small rows of white and black wampum, or half rows of each in 
one, fastened to it, and then put round the head, down to near 
the middle of the forehead. Both young and old women would 
be highly offended at indecent expressions, unless corrupted with 
drink. They were peculiarly virtuous, and were averse to anj^- 
thing like liberties being manifested toward them. The Indians 
would not allow of any one mentioning the name of a friend 
after death. 

They would sometimes streak their faces with black when in 
mourning, but when all went well with them, they painted red. 
They were great observers of the moon ; delighted in fine 
clothes ; were punctual in their bargains, and when any one 
deceived them, they would not deal with him afterwards. In 
their councils, they seldom or never contradicted one another 
till two of them had made an end of their discourse ; for if ever 
so many were in company, only two were allowed to speak to 
each other, and the rest were required to be silent until their 
turn came. Their language in discourse was high, lofty, and 
sublime. Their way of counting was by tens, thus — two tens, 
three tens, four tens, &c. ; and when the number got out of 
their reach, they would point to the stars, or the hair of their 
heads. They lived chiefly on Indian corn roasted in the ashes, 
and sometimes beaten and boiled with water, and made into 
hominy. They also made an agreeable cake of their pounded 
corn. They raised beans and peas, but the chief part of their 
provisions were furnished them from the woods and rivers — hunt- 
ing and fishing being their chief delight. They pointed their 
arrows with a sharpened flint stone, and cut their wood 



124 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

with a large stone, the handle of which was made of withes. 
They ate generally twice a day, morning and evening. Their 
seats and tables were the ground. 

They were naturally reserved ; apt to resent insults, and their 
resentments were retained a long time. They were liberal and 
generous, kind, and affable to the English. They were uneasy 
and impatient in sickness, and commonly drank a decoction of 
roots in spring water ; and during sickness ate very sparingly of 
flesh, and at such times if they ate flesh at all, it must be of the 
female species. They took remarkable care of the sick while 
hopes of life remained, but when that was gone some of them 
would neglect the patient. 

Their government was monarchical and successive, mostly on 
the mother's side, to prevent a spurious issue.* 

They washed their children in cold water as soon as they were 
born, and to make their limbs straight, tied them to a board, 
and when they travelled they hung it to their backs. The chil- 
dren usually walked at nine months of age. 

Their young men married at sixteen or seventeen years of age, 
provided they had by that time given sufficient proof of their 
manhood, by a large return of skins. The girls married about 
thirteen or fourteen, but remained with their mothers to hoe the 
ground, and bear burdens, &c., for some years after marriage. 
In travelling, the women generally carried the luggage. 

Their marriage ceremony was something after the following : 
The relations and friends being present, the bridegroom deliv- 
ered a bone to the bride, she an ear of Indian corn to him, 
meaning that he was to provide meat, she bread. 

It was not unusual with them to change their mates upon dis- 
agreement, in which case the children went with the one that 
loved them best ; the man was allowed the first choice if the 
children were divided, or in case there was but one. 

In the year 1682, a large ship of five hundred and fifty tons 
burden arrived at West Jersey, and got aground in Delaware 

* The children of the reigning King did not succeed him, but his brother 
by the mother, or children of his sister, whose sons (and after them the male 
children of her daughters,) were to reign, for no woman inherited. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 125 

bay, where, after laying eight days, she got off and landed her 
passengers, three hundred and sixty in number, between Phila- 
delphia and Burlington. 

Their provisions being nearly exhausted, they sent ten miles 
to an Indian town near Rankokus creek, for Indian corn and 
peas. The king of the tribe being there, treated them kindly, 
and directed such Indians as had provisions to bring them in next 
morning ; they accordingly brought plenty, which being deliv- 
ered and put in bags, the messengers took leave of the king, 
who kindly ordered some of the Indians to carry their bags for 
them to their canoes. 

The assembly of West Jersey having, at their last sitting, 
adjourned to the first of second month, 1682, but being unsuc- 
cessful in obtaining a full house, they adjourned to the four- 
teenth, and then dissolved without doing any business. Another 
was then called, which sat from the second to the eleventh of the 
first month following. 

Before this time the members had been chosen by the electors 
of the several tenths indiscriminately, but this assembly declared 
it to be their judgment, as well as the judgment of those they 
represented, that the most regular method for preserving the 
liberty of the people by a free assembly, was that such of the 
ten proprieties as were now peopled, should each choose ten 
representatives (and the others also as they became peopled), 
and also resolved that twenty-four, the speaker being one, should 
constitute a quorum ; they chose the council, justices, and com- 
missioners for laying out land, as well as choosing other officers. 

Those chosen were, Thomas Olive, Robert Stacy, Mahlon 
Stacy, William Biddle, Thomas Budd, John Chaffin, James Ne- 
vill, Daniel Wills, Mark Newby, and Elias Farre, councillors; 
William Biddle, Robert Stacy, Elias Farre, Mahlon Stacy, John 
Chaffin, Thomas Budd, Benjamin Scott, John Cripps, and 
Thomas Thackery, justices for Burlington. 

James Nevill, George Deacon, Richard Hancock, and Edward 
Wade, justices for Salem. 

Elias Farre, William Biddle, Thomas Budd, Thomas Gardiner, 
Mark Newby, James Nevill, Thomas Olive, Robert Stacy, Benja- 
min Scott, and William Cooper, commissioners. 



126 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

John White, sheriff for Burlington ; and Thomas Woodruffe, 
sheriff for Salem. 

Thomas Revell, provincial clerk and recorder for Burling- 
ton ; and Samuel Hedge for Salem. 

Daniel Leeds, surveyor of the province. 

Robert Schooley and John Pancoast, constables for York- 
shire tenth; John Bourten and William Brighten, for London 
tenth; and Thomas Sharp, for the third^enth. 

This done, the governor, council, and assembly passed sundry 
laws, some of v^^hich were in substance : that each of the ten 
proprietors should have liberty to sell as much as five hundred 
acres of land, within their respective tenths, or take such other 
expedient as they should judge proper, for defraying public 
charges for the tenths respectively, for which purpose Mahlon 
Stacy and Thomas Lambert were appointed for the first, or York- 
shire tenth; Thomas Budd and Thomas Gardiner, for the 
second, or London tenth; and William Cooper and Mark 
Newby, for the third, or Irish tenth ; and Samuel Jennings and 
Thomas Budd, for the remaining six tenths. * 

They enacted that the fine of three pounds formerly imposed 
upon those who sold rum and other strong drinks to the Indians, 
should go one-half to the informer, and the other to be paid into 
the public stock, at the place where the offence was committed, 
and that every foreigner offending should pay a fine of five 
pounds, to be disposed of in the same manner. 

That for the more convenient payment of small sums of 
money, Mark Newby's coppers, called Patrick's half-pence,f were 
allowed to pass as half-pence current money, provided he gave 
security to the speaker, for the use of the general assembly for the 
time being, that he, his executors and administrators, would 
change them on demand ; and further provided that none were 
obliged to take more than five shillings in one payment. 

To prevent clandestine and unlawful marriages, justices were 

* As it regarded John Fenwick, who owned the other tenth, they seemed to 
have left him to manage his own concerns. 

f These were as their name purports, Irish half-pence, which Newby 
brought over with him. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 127 

to have power to solemnize them, and the parties were first 
required to publish their intentions fourteen days in some public 
place appointed for that purpose, and any justice presuming to 
marry without the consent or knowledge of the parents or trus- 
tees of the parties (if such consent could be reasonably obtained), 
should be fined at the discretion of the general assembly, of 
which marriage the registrar was to make public entry on the day 
it was solemnized. The births of children and decease of all 
persons were also to be entered in the public register of the 
respective tenths ; and for preventing differences between mas- 
ters and servants, where no covenants were made, all servants 
were to have, at the expiration of their term of service, accord- 
ing to the custom of the country, ten bushels of corn, necessary 
apparel, two hoes, and an axe. 

All servants of full age, coming into the province without 
indentures, or other agreements, were required to serve four 
years from the time the ship landed, and in order to ascertain 
the same, custom house officers were before appointed, and all 
under the age of twenty years who came without indentures, 
were required to be brought to the court within three months 
after their arrival in the district where the party resided, and 
the court was to fix the time of servitude. 

Where personal estates were insufficient to pay a man's debts, 
the lands were required to pay it. 

To encourage the building a saw mill, one thousand acres of 
land were required to be sold to William Frampton, to afford 
him sufficient land for that purpose, and even more, provided 
the governor and council should deem that quantity insufficient. 

The better to settle and confirm the lands, six of the commis- 
sioners, with the governor, should (where there was occasion) 
make an inspection into such as should be taken up, and in case 
they found them legally located, they might, after public notice 
in the court, and there being no just reason to the contrary, 
confirm the same at the next court. 

It was ordered that there be four courts held annually, at Bur- 
lington and Salem. 

The governor was granted twenty pounds, the speaker five 
pounds, and the clerk five pounds, which was to be raised annu- 



12S HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

ally by tax, as follows: nine pounds six shillings and eight pence 
by the Yorkshire, London, and Salem tenths, each, ard forty 
shillings by the third tenth, the whole being thirty pounds. 
This was to be delivered to Thomas Budd and Thomas Gardiner 
in skins, corn, or money, and the remainder of the two hundred 
pounds, formerly directed to be raised to defray the charges of 
government, to be collected from the other proprietors. 

The representatives of West Jersey continued to be annually 
chosen, till the surrender of the proprietary government, in 
1702.* The council (who were ex-officio), justices of the 
peace, and therefore inferior offices of government, were chosen 
by them. The governor was appointed by the proprietors, who 
governed them by a deputy till the succeeding year, when 
the assembly, understanding that Byllinge, for some selfish rea- 
sons, was disposed to turn Jennings out, who had hitherto been 
deputy governor, to the general satisfaction of the people, they 
undertook, by their choice, to continue him governor of the 
province, pretending they had a right to do it, because, in the 
constitutions, power was given to six parts out of seven of the 
assembly to make such alterations for the public good (the laws 
of liberty, of conscience, of property, of yearly assemblies, of 
juries, and of evidence, excepted) as they found necessary ; and 
that no advantage might be taken of such judicial proceedings 
as had not been exactly agreeable to the concessions, they con- 
firmed and ratified them all. 

About this time the settlers in many parts were distressed to 
obtain food. Several got the chief part of what they required 
to eat by the gun, but as powder and shot were scarce, it was at 
least a precarious supply. There were at this time many in- 
stances of their wants, and sometimes their supplies were re- 
ceived from unexpected sources. It is related of the family of 
John Hollinshead, who lived near Rankokas, that they were 
entirely unprovided with powder and shot, and were in con- 

*In 1699 a law was passed for reducing the number of representatives to ten, 
for each of the counties of Burlington and Gloucester, five for Salem, and 
three for Cape May ; but as this occasioned dissatisfaction, it was repealed, 
and the number enlarged as formerly, being Burlington, twenty; Salem, ten; 
Gloucester, twenty ; and Cape May, five. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 129 

sequence in great distress. Their youngest son, then a lad of 
only thirteen, in going through a corn field saw a turkey, and in 
throwing a stick at it to kill it, a second one came. He killed 
both of them and carried them home. Soon after, at the house 
of Thomas Enes, he saw a buck, and telling Enes, the latter set 
his dogs on it, who followed it to Rankokas creek, which was at 
that time frozen. The buck in running on the ice slid upon his 
side, whereupon the dogs seized it. Young HoUinshead then 
coming up with his knife at once jumped upon it. The buck 
rose with him on his back and sprung forward, his feet spreading 
apart slid him gently down on his belly, thereby giving HoUins- 
head a respite from danger, and an opportunity to kill him. By 
these means two families were supplied with food, which was a 
great satisfaction to them in their starving condition. 

Sir George Carteret, sole proprietor of East Jersey, died in 
1679, and by his will he ordered the province to be sold to pay 
his debts. This was accordingly done* by his widow and exe- 
cutors, by indenture of lease and release, bearing date the ist 
and 2d of February, 168 1-2, to William Penn, Robert West, 
Thomas Rud yards, Samuel Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard 
Mew, Thomas Wilcox, of London, goldsmith, Ambrose Rigg, 
John Haywood, Hugh Hartshorne, Clement Plumstead, and 
Thomas Cooper, who were thence called the twelve proprietors. 
In this year they published an account of the country, put 
forth a fresh project for a town, as well as the methods of dis- 
posing of their lands. 

The plan was a popular one, and gave great satisfaction, 
especially among the Scotch, from which nation a great many 
had already arrived in the province. This same year, and for 
some years succeeding, many more came, among them was 

*The will is dated December 5th, i678. He devised to Edward, Earl of 
Sandwich; John, Earl of Bath; Bernard Grenville, Sir Thomas Crew, Sir 
Robert Atkins, and Edward Atkins, Esq., and their heii-s, among other lands, 
all his plantation of New Jersey, upon trust and confidence that they and the 
survivors and survivor of them, and the heirs and executors of the survivor of 
them should make sale of all the said premises, and out of the money that 
should upon such sale arise, pay and discharge debts, &c., as therein mentioned. 

I 



I30 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

George Keith, who was considered a very skillful business man, 
and who sometime afterwards became surveyor general. 

These twelve proprietors did not long hold the province to 
themselves, but by particular deeds each took a partner, thereby 
adding twelve additional proprietors. They were after this 
time called the twenty-four proprietors. The twelve new pro- 
prietors were, James, Earl of Perth ; * John Drummond, Robert 
Barclay, Robert Gordon, Aarent Sonmans, Gawen Lawrie, 
Edward Byllinge, James Braine, William Gibson, Thomas 
Barker, Robert Turner, and Thomas Warne. 

The grant made to these additional proprietors, by the Duke 
of York, of East New Jersey, bears date the 14th of March, 1682. 

This was the Duke's third and last grant of East Jersey, and 
was more full and expressive than any previously given. 

These proprietors published a brief account of the province of 
East Jersey, for the information of all such persons who are or 
may be inclined to settle themselves, families, and servants, in 
that country. 

They set forth, that to say anything in praise or much in the 
description of a country so well known, would be needless. That 
the late accounts and descriptions of the adjacent countries. 
West Jersey and Pennsylvania, which are much of the same 
nature, &c., might suffice. But, considering that in foreign 
colonies, yea, here in England, every particular country has 
some excellency in soil, product, or situation, that may affect or 
delight many persons beyond the places adjacent. We may 
therefore, for the satisfaction of such, give some brief account 
thereof. 

First. The province or colony lies between thirty-nine and 
forty-one degrees of latitude, being about twelve degrees more 
to the south than the city of London, and is bounded southeast 
by the main sea, east by that vast navigable stream called Hud- 
son's river, which divides this from the province of New York ; 
west by a line of division, which separates this province from 
West Jersey ; and north upon the mainland, and extends itself 

* From whom Perth Amboy, or Amboy Perth, as it was then called, took 
its name. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 131 

in length on the sea coast and along Hudson's river, one hun- 
dred English miles and upwards. 

Second. The convenience of situation, temperature of air, and 
fertility of soil is such, that there is no less than seven consider- 
able towns, viz. : Shrewsbury, Middletown, Bergen, Newark, 
Elizabethtown, Woodbridge, and Piscataway, which are well 
inhabited by a sober and industrious people, who have necessary 
provisions for themselves and families, and for the comfortable 
entertainment of strangers and travellers, and this colony is 
experimentally found generally to agree with English constitu- 
tions. 

Third. For navigation, it hath these advantages — not only to 
be situated along the navigable part of Hudson's river, but lies 
also fifty miles on the main sea, and near the midst of this 
province is that noted bay for ships, within Sandy Hook, very 
w^ell known not to be inferior to any harbor in America, where 
ships not only harbor in greatest storms, but there ride safe with 
all winds, and sail in and out thence as well in winter as summer. 

Fourth. For fishery, the sea banks there are very well stored 
with variety offish, for not only such as are profitable for trans- 
portation, but such also as are fit for food there, as whales^ 
codfish, cole and hake fish, large mackerel, and also many other 
sorts of flat and small fish. The bay also, and Hudson's river, 
are plentifully stored with sturgeon, great bass, and other scale 
fish, eels and shell fish, as oysters, &c., in great plenty and easy 
to take. 

Fifth. This country is also plentifully supplied with lovely 
springs, rivulets, inland rivers and creeks, which fall into the sea 
and Hudson's river, in which is also much plenty and variety of 
fresh fish and water fowl. 

Sixth. There is great pienty of oak timber fit for shipping, 
and masts for ships, and other variety of wood, like the adjacent 
colonies, such as chestnut, walnut, poplar, cedar, ash, fir, &c., 
fit for building within the country. 

Seventh. The land or soil, (as in all other places,) varies in 
goodness and richness, but generally fertile, and with much 
smaller labor than in England, it produceth plentiful crops of 
all sorts of English grain, besides Indian corn, which the English 



132 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

planters find not only to be of vast increase, but very wholesome 
and good in its use. It also produceth good flax and hemp, 
which they now spin and manufacture into linen cloth. There 
is sufficient meadow and marsh to their uplands, and the very 
barrens there, as they are called, are not like some in England, 
but produce grass fit for grazing cattle in summer season. 

Eighth. The country is well stored with wild deer, conies, 
and wild fowl of several sorts, as turkies, pigeons, partridges, 
plover, quails, wild swans, geese, ducks, &c., in great plenty. 
It produceth variety of good and delicious fruits, as grapes, 
plums, mulberries, and also apricots, peaches, pears, apples, 
quinces, watermelons. Sec, which are here in England planted 
in orchards and gardens ; these, as also many other fruits which 
come not to perfection in England, are the more natural pro- 
ducts of this country 

Ninth. There is also already great store of horses, cows, hogs, 
and some sheep, which may be bought at reasonable prices with 
English moneys or English commodities, or man's labor, where 
money and goods are wanting. 

Tenth. What sort of mines or minerals are in the bowels of 
the earth, after-time must produce, the inhabitants not having 
yet employed themselves in search thereof; but there is already 
a smelting furnace and forge set up in the colony, where is made 
good iron, which is of great benefit to the country. 

Eleventh. It is exceedingly well furnished with safe and con- 
venient harbors for shipping, which is of great advantage to that 
country, and affords already, for exportation, great plenty of 
horses, and also beef, pork, pipe staves, boards, bread, flour, 
wheat, barley, rye, Indian corn, butter, and cheese, which they 
export for Barbadoes, Jamaica, Nevis, and other adjacent islands, 
as also to Portugal, Spain, the Canaries, &c. Their whale oil 
and whale fins, beaver, mink, raccoon, and martin skins (which 
this country produceth) they transport for England. 

Twelfth. The situation and soil of this country may invite 
many who are inclined to transport themselves into those parts 
of America, for — 

ist. Being considerably peopled, and situate on the sea coast, 
with convenient harbors, and so near adjacent to the province 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 133 

of New York and Long Island, being also well peopled colonies, 
may be proper for merchants, tradesmen, and navigators. 

2d. It is likewise proper for such as are inclined to fishery, 
the whole coast and very harbor mouths being fit for it. 

3d. Its soil is proper for all industrious husbandmen, and 
who, by hard labor here, on rack rents, are scarcely able to 
maintain themselves, much less to raise any estate for their chil- 
dren, may, with God's blessing on their labors, there live com- 
fortably, and provide well for their families. 

4th. For carpenters, bricklayers, masons, smiths, millwrights, 
and wheelwrights, bakers, tanners, tailors, weavers, shoemakers, 
hatters, and all or most handicrafts, where their labor is much 
more valued than in these parts, and provisions cheaper. 

TJiirteenth. They also set forth that the Indian nations are 
but few compared with the neighboring colonies, and are far 
from being formidable or injurious to the planters and inhabit- 
ants, but are really serviceable and advantageous to the English, 
not only in hunting and taking the deer and other wild creatures, 
and catching fish and fowl for food, but in the killing and 
destroying of bears, wolves, foxes, and other vermin and peltry, 
whose skins and fur they bring to the English, and sell at less 
price than the value of the time the Englishman must spend to 
take them himself. 

They then recite the constitution made in 1664, in the time 
of Lord John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret late proprietors, 
setting forth the wholesome and liberal provisions made for lib- 
erty in the matters of religion, and property in the estates. 

They then set forth, if the Lord permit, that they intend to 
erect and build one principal town, which, by reason of situa- 
tion, must in all probability be the most considerable for mer- 
chandise, trade, and fishery in those parts. It is designed to be 
placed upon a neck or point of rich land, called Ambo point, 
lying on Raritan river, and pointing to Sandy Hook bay, and 
adjacent to the place where ships in that great harbor commonly 
ride at anchor. 

a. The same privileges were allowed for the encouragement 
of servants, as was provided in the first concessions. 

3. Those who desired to purchase lands there, or on quit 



134 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

rents, should have grants to them and their heirs, on moderate 
and reasonable terms. 

4. Those who desired to transport themselves before pur- 
chasing, they would find the terms of purchasing so moderate as 
to induce them to purchase and settle. 

The passage to the province (as the ships run as well in winter 
as summer, Sandy Hook bay being never frozen), was five 
pounds per head for masters or servants who are above ten 
years of age; all under ten, and not children at the breast, pay 
fifty shillings; sucking children pay nothing. Carriage of 
goods was usually forty shillings per ton, and sometimes less. 

The proprietors at this time were AVilliam Penn, Robert West, 
Thomas Rudyard, Samuel Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, 
Thomas Willcocks, Ambrose Rigg, John Heywood, Hugh Harts- 
horne, Clement Plumsted, and Thomas Cooper. This was before 
the twelve additional proprietors were taken in. 

The following were the proposals for building the town of 
Ambo Point : 

Forasmuch as Ambo Point is a sweet, whoiesome, and delight- 
ful place, proper for trade, by reason of its commodious situa- 
tion, upon a safe harbor, being likewise accommodated with a 
navigable river, and fresh water, and hath by many persons of 
the greatest experience and best judgment, been approved for 
the goodness of the air, soil, and situation : 

We, the proprietors, purpose, by the help of Almighty God, 
with all convenient speed, to build a convenient town for mer- 
chandise, trade, and fishery on Ambo Point, and because per- 
sons that hath a desire to plant there may not be disappointed 
for want of proposals, we, the proprietors, offer these following : 

ist. We intend to divide fifteen hundred acres of land upon 
Ambo Point into one hundred and fifty lots, to consist of ten 
acres to the lot, one hundred to be sold in England, and the 
balance to be reserved for those in America that desired to 
settle upon them. 

2d. The price of each lot was fifteen pounds sterling to those 
who purchased before the 25 th of December, 1682 ; and to such 
as purchased afterwards, before the 25th of December, 1683, 
twenty Dounds sterling. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 135 

3d. Every lot was to be equally divided, according to the 
quality of the land, and its situation. 

4th. The most convenient spot of ground for a town, was to 
be divided into one hundred and fifty equal shares, and laid out 
into streets, according to the rules of art. 

5th. Four acres were reserved for a market place, town house, 
&c., and three acres for public wharfage. 

6th. Each purchaser was obliged to build a dwelling-house, 
and to clear three acres of upland in three years, and upon 
failure the property was to go back to the proprietors, they 
repaying the purchase money. 

7th. The proprietors were within one year each to build him- 
self a house upon Ambo Point, which should stand in an orderly 
manner, according to the best and most convenient model. 

8th. To encourage carpenters, joiners, brick, and tile makers, 
bricklayers, masons, sawyers, and laborers of all sorts, they 
obligated to find them work, and current pay for the same, in 
money, or clothes, and provision, according to the market price 
at New York, during one year at least after the 25th of Decem- 
ber, 1682, and they were to pay no rent for the land they occu- 
pied, so long as they were employed in the proprietors' work. 

The province of East New Jersey being now well settled for 
the time, its situation reduced to a general view, from the 
accounts then published by Secretary Nicholls, of New York, 
appears to be thus : 

Shrewsbury, near Sandy Hook, adjoining the river or creek of 
that name, was already a township consisting of several thousand 
acres, with large plantations contiguous. The number of inhab- 
itants at this time was computed to be about four hundred. 
Lewis Morris, of Barbadoes, had iron works and other consider- 
able improvements here. 

Middletown at this time was supposed to consist of about one 
hundred families. Several thousand acres was alloted for the 
town, and several thousand for plantations surrounding it. John 
Bowne, Richard Hartshorne, and Nicholas Davis, had each well 
improved settlements here. A court of sessions was held two or 
thr.ee times a year for Middletown and Piscataway, and their 
jurisdictions. 



136 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Several plantations were settled on the north side of Raritan 
river, below Piscataway. There were also several settlements 
higher up above the falls, among which were John Palmer, of 
Staten Island ; Thomas Codrington, John Robinson^ Messrs. 
White & Company, and Edsal & Company, of New York ; and 
Capt. Corsen, also had settlements. Some land was likewise 
located by Millstone river, up the Raritan, and supposed to be 
near the division line. 

Woodbridge at this time had several improved plantations in 
it, and the surrounding country. Deplairs, the surveyor gen- 
eral, took up land and settled there. This town was con- 
sidered of greater consequence than the others, being incor- 
porated by royal charter, and here a court-house and prison 
were built. They numbered about one hundred and twenty 
families, and in the town and plantations around, many thousand 
acres. There were several plantations on the north side of the 
river that divided Elizabethtown and Woodbridge. At tiie 
entrance of the creek on the north side, called Carteret's 
Point, and north of Staten Island, there were other plantations, 
extending from Elizabethtown to the bounds of New York. 
Within the Elizabethtown claim, was a partnership settlement 
between Sir George Carteret and the governor, Philip Carteret. 
The latter had built a house and resided there. The town at 
this time consisted of about one hundred and fifty families. 

On the north of Milford or Newark river, (called Second 
river,) was a large tract belonging to Kingsland and Sanford. 
Higher up the river, another belonging to Capt. Berrie, who 
divided it ; several plantations were soon settled upon it. 

Still further up the river was an island which belonged to 
Christopher Hoogland, of Newark. Above this island was a 
large tract owned by Jacques Cartelayne, and others, who made 
some settlements there. These were in the jurisdiction of 
Newark. 

Newark at that time was said to be a compact town, consisting 
of about one hundred families. 

Near the mouth of the bay, upon the side of Overprook creek, 
adjacent to Hackensack river, several of the rich valleys were 
settled by the Dutch, and near Snakehill was a fine plantation 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 137 

owned by Pinhorne and Eickne, for half which it is said Pin- 
horne paid five hundred pounds. On Hackensack river there 
were other settlements, and on a creek near the river, Sarah 
Kiersted, of New York, had a tract presented to her by an old 
Indian Sachem, for services in interpreting between the Indians 
and Dutch. On this tract there were settled several families. 
John Berrie, also had a large plantation two or three miles above 
the tract of Mrs. Kiersted; he lived there and had made con- 
siderable improvements upon it. His son-in-law. Smith, lived 
near him, as well as a man by the name of Baker, from Barba- 
does. They had considerably improved their plantations. On 
the west side of the creek, opposite to Berrie's, there were other 
plantations, but none north of them. 

At Bergen Point (called Constable's Hook), there was a con- 
siderable settlement, which was first improved by Samuel Edsall, 
in Nicholls' time. Other small plantations were improved on 
Bergen Neck to the east, between the point and a small village of 
twenty families. Further along, there were sixteen or eighteen 
families; and opposite New York, about forty families had 
located. South of this settlement, a few families had settled 
together, at a place called the Duke's Farm, in honor of the 
Duke of York, and further up the country was a place called 
Hobuck,* which was formerly owned by a Dutch merchant, 
who, in the Indian wars with the Dutch, had his wife, children, 
and servants murdered by the Indians, and his house and stock 
destroyed, f but the place was now settled again, and they had 
erected a mill there. 

Along the river side, to the north, the lands were settled by 
William Lawrence, Samuel Edsall, and Captain Bienfield. At 
Haversham, near the Highlands, Governor Carteret had taken 
up two large tracts, one for himself, the other for Andrew Cam- 
pyne and company. These tracts were at this time (16S2) but 
little improved. 

The plantations on both sides of the neck, to its utmost 
extent, as also those at Hackensack, were at this time under the 

* Hoboken. 

f There were frequent wars or skirmishes between the Dutch and Indians. 



138 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

jurisdiction of the town of Bergen, and situated about the 
middle of the neck. A court was held there by selectmen or 
overseers, comprising four or more in number, as was thought 
best by the people. These selectmen were chosen annually, to 
try small causes. This practice had been adopted in all the 
towns, upon their first settlement. Two courts of sessions were 
also held here annually, and from which, if the cause exceeded 
twenty pounds, the party had the right of appeal to the gov- 
ernor, council, and court of deputies or assembly. 

Bergen being a compact town, fortifications had been erected 
against the incursions of the Indians. It contained about 
seventy families, the principal part of whom were Dutch. Some 
of these had resided there upwards of forty years. 

There were supposed to be at this time about seven hundred 
families, who had made permanent settlements in the towns of 
East Jersey, which, computing five to a family, would make the 
inhabitants about three thousand five hundred, and the planta- 
tions outside were supposed to contain half as many more. 

Philip Carteret continued to be governor of East Jersey after 
the quintipartite division, till about the year 1681.* His coun- 
cil, in 1668, consisted of six persons: Nicholas Verlet, Daniel 
Pierce, Robert Bond, Samuel Edsall, Robert Vanquellin, and 
William Pardon. 

The assembly at this time consisted of double the number 
which comprised the council. 

The first members were Casper Steenmets and Baltazer Bay- 
ard, for Bergen; John Ogden, Sen., and John Brackett, for 
Elizabethtown ; Robert Treat and Samuel Swarne, for Newark ; 
John Bishop and Robert Dennis, for Woodbridge ; James Grover 
and John Bound, for Middletown, and the same persons repre- 
sented Shrewsbury. 

The sessions were generally held at Elizabethtown, but some- 

* His salary was about fifty pounds per year, which was paid in country 
produce, at prices fixed by law, and sometimes four shillings a day besides, to 
defray his expenses while the sessions were held. The council and assembly 
received, while in session, three shillings per day to each member. The rates 
for public charges were levied at two shillings per head for every male above 
fourteen years old. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 139 

times at Woodbridge, and once or more they were held at 
Middletown and Piscataway. 

Some of the first laws made and published by the legislature 
at Elizabethtown were in substance as follows : That persons 
resisting authority should be punished at the discretion of the 
court ; that men from sixteen to sixty years of age should pro- 
vide themselves with arms, on penalty of one shilling for the 
first week's neglect, and two shillings for every week after ; that 
for burglary, or highway robbery, the first offence, burning in 
the hand ; the second, in the forehead — in both, to make resti- 
tution ; and for the third offence, death. For stealing, the first 
offence, treble restitution, and the like for the second and third 
offence, with such increase of punishment as the court saw 
cause, even to death, if the party appeared incorrigible ; but if 
not, and unable to make restitution, they were to be sold for 
satisfaction, or to receive corporal punishment ; that conspiracies 
or attacks upon towns or forts should be death ; that undutiful 
children, smiting or cursing their father or mother, except pro- 
voked thereunto for self-preservation, upon complaint of and 
proof from their parents, or either of them, should be punished 
with death ; that in case of adultery, the party to be divorced, 
corporally punished, or banished, or either or all of them, as 
the court should judge proper; that for night walking, and 
revelling after the hour of nine, the parties to be secured by 
the constable, or other officer, till morning, and then, not giving 
a satisfactory account to the magistrate, to be bound over to 
the next court, and there receive such punishment as should be 
inflicted; that thirty pounds should be levied for provincial 
charges : that is, five pounds to be paid by each town, in winter 
wheat, at five shillings a bushel ; summer wheat, at four and 
sixpence ; peas, at three shillings and sixpence ; Indian corn, at 
three shillings ; rice, at four shillings ; barley, at four shillings ; 
beef, at two pence half- penny per pound ; and pork, at three 
pence half-penny. That no son, daughter, maid, or servant 
should marry without the consent of his or her parents, masters, 
or overseers, without being three times published in some public 
meeting or kirk near the party's abode, or notice being set up 
in writing at some public house near where they lived, for four- 



I40 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

teen days before, then to be solemnized by some approved 
minister, justice, or chief officer, who, on penalty of twenty 
pounds, and to be put out of office, were to marry none who 
had not followed those directions; that fornication should be 
punished, at the discretion of the court, by marriage, fine, or 
corporal punishment, and that no life should be taken but by 
virtue of some law, and the proof of two or three witnesses. 



CHAPTER VII. 

1682 — 1703. 

Land grants to settlers — First buildings at Anihoy — First saw 
mills erected — Bergen settled by the Dutch — Disturbances in the 
province — Ferry started at Perth Amboy — First settled preacher 
in the province — First ship built in the province — Prices paid for 
provisions — Failure of crops — Great distress. 

DOUBTS having arisen in the minds of the people whether 
the government of West Jersey had been granted with the 
soil, and these rumors having been industriously circulated, both 
here and in England, to the prejudice of the title of the possessors, 
as well as deterring others from coming over to settle, the assem- 
bly, in the spring of 1682, thought it one of their first duties to 
obviate this, therefore they unanimously resolved, " That the land 
and government of West New Jersey were purchased together." 
And in answer to the question, " Whether the concessions agreed 
upon by the proprietors and people, and subscribed in London 
and West Jersey, were agreed upon to be the fundamentals and 
ground of the government of West Jersey, or not?" It was 
resolved in the affirmative, nemine contradicente, only John 
Fenwick excepted his tenth, which he said, at that time was not 
under the same circumstances, but now freely consenteth thereto.* 
At this assembly Samuel Jennings was appointed governor, f 
Before this time he had acted as deputy for Byllinge, 

* Proprietory records, Secretary's office, Burlington. 

f He had for this year a right to take up six hundred acres of land above 
the Falls, for his salary. 



142 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The commissioners and other officers also being chosen, they 
were duly qualified, * and having agreed that the governor should 
be chairman or speaker, that he should sit as a member with 
them, and they together with the council ; and that the chairman 

*The oath of office was as follows : 

" I, Samuel Jennings, being elected governor of the province of West Jersey, 
by the general free assembly thereof, sitting at Burlington, the nth day of the 
third month, in the year 1683, do freely and faithfully promise, (according to 
the best of my ability,) to act in that capacity, according to the laws, conces- 
sions, and constitutions, as they are now established in the said province.' 

" Samuel Jennings, Governor." 

The engagement and promise of the council elected by the assembly were as 
follows : 

*' We, underwritten, being elected and chosen by the general free assembly 
members of council, to advise and assist the governor in managing the affairs 
of the government, do solemnly promise, every one for himself, that we will 
give our diligent attendance from time to time, and him advise and assist to 
the best of our skill and knowledge, according to the laws, concessions, and 
constitutions of this province ; and do further promise not to reveal or disclose 
any secret of council, or any business therein transacted, to the prejudice of the 
public. Witness our hands the 15th day of the third month. Anno, 1683, 
"Thomas Budd, John Skeen, 

"John Gosling, Thomas Olive, 

'• William Biddle, Thomas Gardiner, 

" Henry Stacy, James Nevill, 

"Elias Farre." 

The engagements and promise of the commissioners, justices, and other 
officers elected, were as follows : 

" "VVe, whose names are here underwritten, being by the general free assembly 
chosen to officiate in our several trusts, commissions and offices for the ensuing 
year, do hereby solemnly promise that we will truly and faithfully discharge 
our respective trusts, according to the laws, concessions, and constitutions of the 
said province, in our respective offices and duties, and do equal justice and 
right to all men, according to our best skill and judgment, without corruption* 
favor, or affection. Witness our hands, this 15th of the third month, 1683. 

" Thomas Olive, Richard Guy, Andrew Wade, and Andrew Thompson, 
justices. 

" William Biddle, John Gosling, John Skeen, Mahlon Stacy, Thomas Olive, 
James Nevill, Francis Collins, Thomas Budd, Thomas Gardiner, Mark New- 
by, commissioners. 

"Thomas Revell, recorder; Benjamin Wheat, sheriff; Daniel Leeds, sur- 
veyor." 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 143 

should have a double vote. This assembly passed sundry laws, 
among which was the following: 

"And whereas, it hath pleased God to commit this country 
and province into the hands of such who, (for the generality of 
them, are fearing God, and painful and industrious in the 
promoting and improving the said province, and for the better 
preventing of such as are profane, loose and idle, and scanda- 
lous, from settling amongst us, who are, and will be, not only 
unserviceable, but greatly burthensome to the province — It is 
therefore hereby enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all 
person and persons who shall transport him or themselves into 
this province, shall, within eighteen months after he or they 
shall arrive in the said province, procure and produce a certifi- 
cate, under the hands of such of that religious society to whom 
he or they did belong, or otherwise from two magistrates (if 
procurable), or two constables or overseers of the poor, with 
three or more creditable persons of the neighborhood, who 
inhabit or belong to the place where he or they did last reside, 
as may give satisfaction (that is to say), that he or they came 
not clandestinely or fraudulently away; and if unmarried, that 
he or she are clear from former engagements in that particular, 
and also that he or she are such as live soberly and honestly, to 
the best of their knowledge ; and that no justice shall presume 
to marry any such person or persons who shall come into this 
province, before such certificate be produced, or that it be laid 
before the governor or two justices, and give them sufficient 
satisfaction concerning their clearness; and that all such person 
and persons who shall settle in the said province, and shall 
refuse or neglect to produce such certificate as aforesaid, within 
the said eighteen months, shall be fined, at the discretion of 
the governor and council of the said province, not exceeding 
twenty pounds, the same to be levied by distress and sale of the 
offender's goods, and to be paid into the hands of the treasurer 
of the said province." 

The Scotch had a considerable share in the settlement of 
East Jersey. Many of them, and a number that afterwards 
arrived, fixed their habitations about Amboy and up the Raritan. 
The twelve proprietors appointed Robert Barclay, of Urie, in 



144 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Scotland, governor for life, and Thomas Rudyard, a lawyer or 
attorney of London, deputy governor. 

The commission of Barclay was dated at London, the 17th 
of the fifth month, called July, in the year of our Lord, accord- 
ing to the English account, 1683. He continued to be governor 
till 16S5, when Lord Neil Campbell, also a Scotchman, and 
uncle to the Duke of Argyle, was appointed governor, and came 
over to the province. In 1698, Sir Thomas Lane was appointed 
governor of East Jersey. Barclay died the 3d of October, 
1690. 

Thomas Rudyard, the deputy governor, arrived at his govern- 
ment the beginning of the year following his appointment. He 
gave a glowing account of the country soon after his arrival, in 
which he speaks of the superiority of the province over the 
neighboring provinces, having both fresh and salt meadows, 
which were very valuable as contributing so much for the sup- 
port of stock in winter, which must be supplied in other parts 
from the store ; but he says that where no salt meadows exist, 
there are no mosquitoes. He speaks also of one thing we have 
here, which the others are in want of, viz. : vast oyster banks, 
which furnish, during the winter, a constant supply of fresh 
victuals to the English, as well as the Indians. Of these, he 
says, there are many all along the coasts, from the sea, as high 
up as against New York; so we are supplied with salt fish at our 
doors, or within half a tide's passage, as well as fresh fish in 
abundance, in every little brook, such as perch, trout, eels, &c., 
which we catch at our doors. 

At Amboy we are now building some small houses, thirty feet 
long by eighteen feet broad, such as will entertain workmen, and 
such as will, go and build larger. 

There is plenty of good stone up the Raritan, and oyster 
shells upon the point, to make lime with. They have durable 
covering for their houses of shingles ; oak, chestnut and cedar 
are plentiful ; the last will endure a man's lifetime. 

Five or six saw mills were then being built, and two were 
already at work, which, when completed, would jeduce the 
price of boards one-half, as well as all other timber for building. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 145 

The timber costs nothing, but the workmanship by hand was at 
London prices, and sometimes more. 

His residence was with Samuel Groome, at Elizabeth Town, 
which was not solitary, as he had little less company than at his 
house in London. 

The people were generally a sober, industrious, professing 
people, wise in their generation, courteous in their behavior, 
and respectful to us in office. 

Our country here called Bergen is almost entirely inhabited by 
Dutchmen. At a town called Newark, seven or eight miles 
from here, is made great quantities of cider, exceeding any we 
can have from New England, Rhode Island, or Long Island. 

Amboy was laid out by Samuel Groome, one of the proprie- 
tors, and surveyor general of East Jersey, into one hundred and 
fifty lots, and a draught was sent home to the other proprietors. 

Gawen Lawrie arrived this year as deputy governor of East 
Jersey, under Robert Barclay, and chose a fresh council, one of 
whom was Richard Hartshorne. 

There had been considerable disturbances in the province, 
particularly about Middletown and Woodbridge, relating to 
town affairs,* and the prudent conduct of these officers had con- 
tributed largely towards quieting the province. 

Gawen Lawrie in writing to the proprietors in London, from 
Elizabeth Town, under date of the 2d of first month, 1684, 
gives an account of his visits to different places in the pro- 
vince to lay out a settlement. 

He pitched upon a place where a ship of three hundred tons 
could ride safely within a plank's length from the shore, at low 
water. Adjoining this he found a piece of marsh ground about 
twelve perches broad and twenty perches long, with high land 
on each side. Here he set out lots around this island of one 
acre each, four poles at the key, and forty poles back, from 
thence along the river half a mile. These lots were laid out in 
a pleasant situation, where they could see the ships coming in 
the bay of Sandy Hook for nearly twenty miles. 

* In one of these disturbances, Lewis Morris, who was afterwards governor 
of New Jersey, being a party, was taken prisoner, and confined in a log house. 
His partizans pried up the logs far enough for him to creep out. 

K 



146 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

He says "there is no such place in all England for conveniency 
and pleasant situation. There are sixty lots upon the river, and 
forty backwards between those and the river, and those back- 
ward have a highway one hundred feet broad." Here he laid 
out a place for a market, with cross-streets from the river to the 
market, where the town houses were to be built. He then laid 
out four hundred acres, to be divided into forty-eight parts, thirty 
six to each proprietor. 

The lots in town were sold for twenty pounds, or for half a 
lot of thirty-six acres, not in the town, forty pounds. 

The Scotch proprietors took up sixteen of the lots, and the 
other proprietors eight lots, and twenty lots were taken up in 
the town by other people. All were required to build a house 
thirty feet long, eighteen feet broad, and eighteen feet high to 
the raising, and to be finished within a year. To pay for laying 
out, forty shillings a lot, and four pence per annum quit rent. 
Forty or fifty acres was laid out for the governor's house. 

The wharf, between the highway and river, was one hundred 
feet broad, with a row of trees along the river, before the houses, 
for shade and shelter. He arranged for the building of two 
houses for the proprietors, and a house for the governor, forty- 
six feet long, and eigliteen feet broad. 

The proprietors had thirty thousand acres of land in different 
places, which was formerly taken up by Sir George Carteret. 
Pork and beef sold at two pence per pound, fish and fowl were 
plenty, and he says there were oysters enough to supply all 
England. Wheat, four shillings per bushel ; Indian wheat, two 
shillings and six pence per bushel ; cider, good and plenty, for 
one penny per quart ; good drink made of water and molasses, 
about two shillings per barrel, as wholesome as their eight shil- 
ling beer in England; good venison, plenty, at eighteen pence 
per quarter ; eggs at three pence per dozen ; and all other neces- 
saries of life plenty. Vines, walnuts, peaches, strawberries, and 
many other things plenty in the woods. 

There was laid out for the town, governor's house, and public 
highways, near about two hundred acres, leaving eighteen hun- 
dred acres still to be disposed of. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 147 

He established a ferry at Perth,* for men and horses to go 
and come to Burlington, and Pennsylvania, and New York. 
He also built a house half-way between there and Burlington, 
for the entertainment of travellers, and a ferry boat to go to 
New York, for the purpose of building up the town of Perth, 
which was a central place. 

He says: "Here is a gallant, plentiful country, and good 
land." 

At this time there was but one town in the entire province 
that had a settled preacher, who followed no other employment, 
and that was Newark. We are also informed that there was no 
particular form of religion, but that it was comprised of several 
sorts, but few of the inhabitants being very zealous, although in 
every town there was a meeting-house, where public worship 
was held ance a week. There were no public laws in the country 
for maintaining public teachers, but the towns where they were 
located provided for their maintenance in their own way. 

The richest planters had from eight to ten servants ; some of 
them had as many as a dozen cows, others twenty, and some as 
many as thirty^ — eight or ten oxen, and some had so many 
horses that they did not themselves know the exact number, for 
they had them scattered through the country, and kept no more 
at home than they required for work ; they let them run in the 
woods both winter and summer, and take them only when 
they wanted to use them. 

They had great flocks of swine in the woods, also great flocks 
of sheep; but these they did not permit to run in the woods, for 
fear of their being destroyed by wolves. 

There were in the towns settled at this time about one hun- 
dred houses, but they were not built with much regularity. 
Every house had connected with it a lot of four acres, so that 
every one building upon his own lot, made the town irregular 
and scattered. Their streets were laid out too large, and the 
sheep in the towns constantly run at large in them. 

In consequence of their size, the inhabitants were at no 
trouble about paving them. 

* Perth Amboy. 



148 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

irjr TeMTo.. --;-- — r ;:s 

fnown to catch with a sieve one and sometimes two barrels of 
g^^d fish which they would sal. up mostly for the.r own use, 

"xh: ^" 'shi^ptuiU in the province was commenced hy Samuel 
GrI me for trade with the West Indies but the bmdtng of 
was discontinued, on account of h,s death, m 1684. It re 
mTined on the stocks for some time before it was completed. 
The acres were reckoned according to English measure,. x- 
teen feet to the rood, twenty long, and e.ght b^ad One 
E lih butt of wheat, which was eight ^f^^^^^f^^^ 

:Llllf an English peck, which was four English quarts, or 
Scotch shopeus of Indian corn, would plant an acre. 

Th r wa'satthis time but few Indian -"- ,n tins part o 
the country, as they lived mostly in the woods, and had small 
towns in some places far up in the country. 

They planted Indian corn, and depended on shoofng deer 

Z":i. .i-. «!■> — "«, :-t:™, - 

fiffh nart difference between the money of this country ai u 
St Ig money, so that wheat being valued here at four sh.lhngs 
iLetufhXwIdd be worth but three shillings and threepence 
sterling, and so of the rest proportionably. 

This statement was made by John Barclay and Arthur Forbes, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 149 

the truth of which was certified to by Gawen Lawrie, deputy 
governor, and dated Elizabeth Town, in East Jersey, the 29th of 
the first month, called March, 1684. 

The assembly of West Jersey, at this meeting, the 20th of the 
third month (May), chose Thomas Olive governor and chairman, 
or speaker, the governor acting in both these capacities. 

The several branches of the Legislature had previously trans- 
acted their business in common together. The representatives 
were returned from their respective first, second, third, and 
Salem tenths, which were all the tenths settled up to this time. 
At their first meeting they chose the governor, council, commis- 
sioners to lay out land, and all the other officers of their gov- 
ernment. 

Olive had been twice governor of West Jersey before, and on 
the last choice he was continued for a year,* but Byllinge, 
desisting from the claims which the assembly as well as the 
people had thought unjust, and which had been the cause of 
their undertaking in opposition to him to choose the governor, 
he sent this year a fresh commission to John Skeine to be his 
deputy,! ^1^^ assembly and people submitted to him, though 
before they had refused William Welsh in that capacity, while 
Byllinge continued the claims aforesaid. Skeine died in the 
twelfth month, 1687, but Dr. Daniel Cox, of London, the great- 
est proprietor of West Jersey,J was, the September previous, 
appointed to succeed him. He continued in the position till 
about the year 1690, having appointed Edward Hunloke his 
deputy. Sometime afterwards a commission was sent to John 
Tatham, who, in consequence of being a Jacobite, § being dis- 
qualified by his principles, the assembly rejected him, on which 
the proprietors, in 1692, sent a commission to Andrew Hamil- 

* His salary was twenty pounds per year. 

f Skeine's salary, besides the fees, was said to be tliirty bushels of rye. 

I He owned twenty-two shares of propriety. 

^ A partisan or adherent of James II., after he had abdicated the throne, 
and one who was opposed to William and Mary, and whj held with a sect 
of Christians in Syria and Mesepotamia, that Jesus Christ had but one nature. 



I50 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

ton.* He was accepted, and continued governor of West Jer- 
sey while it remained under the proprietary jurisdiction, though 
with some interruption in 1698, being also some part of the 
time governor of both East and West Jersey, and Pennsylvania. 

In the year 1686, there seems to have been some dangerous 
persons in East Jersey, if the law passed that year against wear- 
ing swords was well founded. According to that, several per- 
sons had received abuses, and were in great fear from quarrels 
and challenges. 

To prevent it in the future, no one was permitted, by word or 
message, to make a challenge, upon pain of six months im- 
prisonment, without bail or main prize, and a fine of ten pounds. 
Whoever accepted or concealed the challenge, was also to forfeit 
ten pounds. No person was to wear any pocket pistols, skeins, 
stilladers, daggers, or dirks, or other unusual weapons, upon 
pain of five pounds forfeiture for the first offence ; and for the 
second, to be committed, and on conviction, imprisoned for six 
months, and moreover to pay a fine of ten pounds. No planter 
was to go armed with sword, pistol, or dagger, upon penalty of 
five pounds. Officers, civil and military, soldiers in service, 
and strangers travelling upon lawful occasions, were excepted. 

The settlers in both West Jersey and Pennsylvania, about the 
year 1687, were put to considerable difficulty on account of 
food, their crops having in great part failed. Several families 

* His salary, in 1695 and 1696, was two hundred pounds a year, as gov- 
ernor of West Jersey, but the salaiy, in both East and West Jersey, seems, in 
some periods, to have been rather occasional. In the latter province, in 1697, 
provision was made for two hundred pounds, by a law containing the follow- 
ing preamble : " Being sensible of the many great services done by our pres- 
ent governor. Colonel Andrew Hamilton, since his accession to the adminis- 
tration of the government of this province, and taking also into our consideration 
the great charge that must attend any person in that post, and how little hath 
yet been done by us answerable to his merit and station, we find ourselves 
obliged, in point of gratitude, and in testimony of our affection for him, and 
as a demonstration thereof, to offer, as is hereafter expressed, and pray our 
governor's acceptance thereof from a poor people, whose good will and regard 
to him is not to be measured by the value of our offering, but integrity of the 
offerers." The salary of the governor of East Jersey, in 1694, 1695, and 1696, 
was one hundred and fifty pounds per annum. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 151 

had already spent their last, and were forced to subsist on what 
was spared by such of their neighbors as were better provided ; 
these were few in proportion to the mouths to be filled. Some 
near the rivers had lived for weeks upon fish, others were forced 
to subsist on herbs. While this was the case, a vessel unex- 
pectedly arrived from New England to Philadelphia, laden with 
corn, which proved a timely supply, for this vessel finding a 
good market, others soon followed, so that the settlers from this 
time were amply supplied with food. 

In this year, 1687, George Keith, surveyor general of East 
Jersey, by order of the proprietors there, attempted to run the 
division line between East and West Jersey. He began with a 
line from Little Egg Harbor, north by west, and three degrees 
five minutes more westerly, as the compass then pointed, for a 
part ; the line run by him was sixty miles in length, till he fell 
upon the corner of John Dobie's plantation, on the south 
branch of the Raritan. This, by order of the council of pro- 
prietors of West Jersey, in or about the year 1721, was traversed 
by John Chapman, who was esteemed a careful surveyor. Upon 
the computation, it appeared that the line, at the time he trav- 
ersed it, was north sixteen degrees and forty-three minutes west, 
which left a variation of two degrees and twenty-three minutes 
in thirty-four years. The remaining part of Keith's line was 
from Dobie's plantation along the rear of that and other tracts 
and plantations, as they were before patented and surveyed in 
right of the proprietors of the eastern division of New Jersey, 
until it intersected that part of the north branch of the Raritan 
river which descends from a fall of water, at that time known 
by the Indian name of Allamitung, then running from that 
point of intersection up the branch or stream of the fall of 
Allamitung. 

Upon the original running of this line, the western proprie- 
tors thought too much of their best lands were surveyed to the 
eastward, and were dissatisfied with it. 

In the fall of 1688, the governors of East and West Jersey, 
on behalf of each division, entered into an agreement that 
Daniel Cox, governor of West Jersey, on behalf of himself and 
all the rest of the proprietors of that province, on the one part, 



152 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

and Robert Barclay, governor of the province of East Jersey, 
on behalf of himself and all the rest of the proprietors of that 
province, of the other part, to finally determine all differences 
concerning the deed of partition, and all other disputes and 
controversies about dividing the lands and settling the bounds 
between East and West Jersey, agreed that the line of partition 
ran straight from Little Egg Harbor to the most westerly cor- 
ner of John Dobie's plantation, as it stands on the south branch 
of the Raritan river, shall be the bounds, so far, between East 
and West Jersey, and shall not be altered, but remain as it stands 
on a printed draught of the proprietors' lands, surveyed in East 
Jersey, and drawn by John Reed, and since printed here. 
From thence to run along the back of the adjoining plantations, 
until it comes to James Uundas' plantation ; and from thence, 
at the most northwesterly part thereof, a line to lie down with a 
line on the back of those plantations, and to run northeast- 
ward, till it touch the north branch of Raritan river, as it is 
struck upon the map already ; but saving the plantations already 
laid out to be within the line, if they happen to stand a little 
more westerly than that line is marked. 

From the north end of the line, where it touches Raritan 
north branch, thence forward the largest stream or current of 
water belonging to the said north branch, shall be the bound 
or partition ; and so continuing the same unto the north end 
thereof, for the bounds so far. 

From the said north end of the branch, a short straight line 
to run to touch the nearest part of Passaic river, and so follow- 
ing the course of that river, continuing Poquanick river, so 
long as it runs northerly or northwesterly ; these rivers still to 
be the bounds between both provinces ; and if Poquanick river 
do not run far enough to the latitude of forty-one degrees, then 
from the said river, a straight line to run northward to the lati- 
tude, and that to be the utmost north partition point ; and from 
the said point in a straight line due east, to the partition point 
on Hudson's river, between East Jersey and New York ; pro- 
vided always, that all plantations and tracts of land laid out and 
surveyed before the agreement arrives in East Jersey, shall 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 153 

remain to the parties concerned, and the partition shall so run 
as to include them within East Jersey bounds. 

Dr. Cox was to promise and make good the agreements 
above written, and warrant the title and quiet possession of all 
the lands so to be appropriated to the proprietors of East Jersey, 
according to the limits and bounds above mentioned, against all 
persons that shall or may pretend or claim any interest to any of 
the said lands as West Jersey proprietors ; and Robert Barclay 
also promised to make good the agreement above written, and 
warrant the title and quiet possession of lands so to be appropri- 
ated to the proprietors of West Jersey, according to the limits 
and bounds above mentioned, against all persons that shall or 
may pretend or claim any interest to any of the said lands as 
East Jersey proprietors. For the faithful performance of which 
they were mutually to bind themselves, each to the other, in the 
sum of five thousand pounds, to be well and truly paid on the 
breach of any of the clauses and covenants before mentioned. 

This was signed and sealed in London, September 5th, 1688, 
by Robert Barclay, and witnessed by David Hewling and Ste- 
phen Lucock. 

Although there was a desire on the part of both sections to 
have the line definitely fixed and properly run, as the western 
proprietors could easily see that East Jersey had the advantage 
in every step hitherto taken. 

The proprietors of West Jersey met at Burlington on the 14th 
day of the twelfth month, 1687, and resolved to appoint eleven 
proprietors every year, from among themselves, to be commis- 
sioners and trustees. Six of these were to be from the county 
of Burlington, and four from the county of Gloucester, for the 
purpose of acting in such affairs as shall generally concern the 
whole body of proprietors. 

These were Samuel Jennings, Thomas Olive, William Biddle, 
Elias Farre, Mahlon Stacy, Francis Davenport, Andrew Robe- 
son, William Royden, John Reading, William Cooper, and John 
Wills. They were allowed two shillings per day for each 
and every day they were engaged, to be paid by the proprietors 
in proportion to their respective shares in the province. 



154 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

This was dated the 14th day of the twelfth month, called 
February, 1687. 

The proprietors met at Burlington on the 6th day of the sev- 
enth month, 1688, and ratified the above agreement It was 
ratified by thirty-one of the proprietors of Burlington county, 
and thirteen of those of Gloucester county, with the exception 
that the names of Mahlon Stacy and Francis Davenport were 
excluded, and John Tatham and George Hutchinson were elected 
in their stead ; and in place of William Cooper, Thomas Gardi- 
ner, Jun., was elected. 

They also changed the number from eleven to nine, five to 
constitute a quorum. 

The latter was agreed upon at Gloucester, the ist of the first 
month, 1688, and subscribed by the proprietors. 

Upon this agreement was founded the constitution of the 
council of proprietors of West Jersey. 

At a meeting of the proprietors of West Jersey, at Burling- 
ton, on the 6th day of the seventh month, 1688, they agreed 
that every proprietor and person interested in proprieties should 
pay to the use of Daniel Cox, to any person appointed to 
receive it, as a reimbursement for the money laid out by him 
in the Indian purchase lately made in the lower counties, 
the sum of twelve shillings and sixpence for every thousand 
acres, and so proportionably to be taken up out of that purchase. 
The first year to begin the ist day of April last past, and from that 
time twelve months, to advance eighteen pence upon every year 
ensuing, until the time that the money aforesaid be paid for, and 
the land to be laid out within the bounds of the same purchase, 
as consideration for the moneys disbursed by the said Daniel 
Cox, in the said Indian purchase of the whole tract, which, by 
the surveyor, Andrew Robeson, is computed to be three hundred 
thousand acres of good land, capable and worthy of improve- 
ments, which money being paid, the party so paying shall be 
acquitted of all other payments in the consideration aforesaid. 

The surveyor was not to set out any land within the limits of 
this Indian purchase, until the money above mentioned be paid 
and secured as aforesaid. 

The lands taken up by order of Dr. Cox, above the falls of 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 155 

Delaware, every proprietor taking up any part thereof, was to 
pay Dr. Cox, or his order, twenty-five shillings per thousand 
acres, and two shillings and sixpence yearly consideration, till 
the money be paid. 

At a meeting of the proprietors, held at Burlington, the iSth 
of September, 1688, Samuel Jennings was appointed commis- 
sioner to examine all deeds, and take a minute of the same, to 
issue warrants to the surveyor general, for the surveying and 
taking up of lands for the inhabitants within the county of 
Burlington, or to any others as occasion should require ; and 
John Reading was appointed to perform the same service within 
the county of Gloucester, and to all others as occasion should 
require ; and for every warrant for land under one hundred 
acres, they were to receive the sum of one shilling; and one 
hundred acres and above, and under one thousand acres, the 
sum of eighteen pence ; and one thousand acres and above, the 
sum of two shillings and sixpence, the amount to be collected 
out of the land. 

Wherever demand was made of them, the said commissioners 
were required to deliver to council a copy of their minutes 
taken by them from time to time, and Andrew Robeson, the 
surveyor general, was, upon demand of council, required to 
make return to them of all warrants for land executed by him 
that had not been previously returned. 

Mahlon Stacy, John Day, William Wood, and John Hollins- 
head were appointed rangers* for the county of Burlington, 
and upwards, and John Kay, Thomas Sharp, and Israel Helme, 
Jr., rangers for the county of Gloucester. 

No person or persons were permitted to purchase lands from 
the Indians without the consent of council first obtained; other- 
wise, they were to be prosecuted as common enemies. 

John Skene was appointed by the secretary and register 
general of the dominion and territories of New England, to 
receive the records, rolls, and papers of Thomas Revell and 
John Reading, and made a demand for the same. 



*In England, a sworn officer of a forest, appointed by the King's letters 
patent, whose business was to walk through the forest, watch the deer, prevent 
trespasses, &c., keepers of the parks. 



156 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The matter was laid before council, at ameeting held at 
Burlington, on the loth day of the eighth month, 1688, where- 
upon they ordered that all rect rds relating to government, may 
be delivered according to the secretary's order, except such as 
relate to lands which they judge to be the proprietor's property, 
which ought to remain with them. 

The council met, pursuant to adjournment, on the eleventh 
of the eighth month, when it was agreed that all deeds granted 
only by Edward Byllinge, in and before the year 1682, were 
adjudged insufficient for the commissioners to grant warrants 
upon. 

Instructions were given to the commissioners in examining 
deeds and granting warrants for taking up lands. 

They were to grant no warrants but upon the production of 
good deeds, authentic copies, or an extract of the record of 
such deed under the register's hand. 

A particular warrant was to be given for every several deed, 
or particular purchase. 

The president of council was, from time to time, to grant 
warrants for the commissioners, for the taking up of their own 
lands. 

In the year 1691, Dr. Cox conveyed the government of West 
Jersey and territories, to the West Jersey Society, consisting of 
Sir Thomas Lane, knt., Michael Watts, Edward Harrison, 
Thomas Skinner, James St. Johns, Nicholas Hayward, Mordecai 
Abbot, Nicholas Battersby, Robert Curtis, John Jurin, Richard 
Bramhall, Robert Mitchell, Charles Mitchell, James Boddington, 
John Gunston, Arthur Shallet, John Lamb, William Wightman, 
Joseph Brooksbank, William Thompson, Henry Harrington, 
John Love, Thomas Phipps, Isaac Cocks, John Sweetable, 
Thomas Bromfield, John Norton, Robert Hackshaw, John 
Bridges, Joseph Paise, Edward Richier, William Dunk, Edward 
Habberdfield, John Alberson, Edward West, Edward Pauncefort, 
Obadiah Burnet, Francis Michel, Benjamin Steel, John Slavey, 
Nehemiah Erwing, John Wilcocks, Richard Mayo, Jonah Nette- 
way, William Brooks, Tracey Pauncefort, Joseph Allen, and 
Richard Greenaway. 

The first settlers of the Yorkshire tenth, in West Jersey, had 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 157 

several of them built upon the low lands, near the falls of Dela- 
ware,* in 1676, where they had lived, and been improving 
about sixteen years. 

The Indians had told them that their buildings were liable to 
be damaged by freshets in the river Delaware, the situation of 
the place rendering such a thing probable. 

They had, however, erected several wooden tenements, with 
outhouses, which in the spring were accordingly demolished. 
The snows suddenly melting above caused an uncommon over- 
flow of the river, greater than has ever been known before or 
since. 

This flood came upon the inhabitants so unexpectedly, that 
many were in their houses, surrounded by the water, from 
whence they were conveyed by neighbors, in canoes, to the shore 
opposite. The water continued to rise until it reached the 
upper stories of some of their houses, when most or all of them 
gave way, and were dashed to pieces, and many of their cattle 
were drowned ; beds, kettles, and other furniture were afterward 
picked up on the shores below. The damage occasioned by it 
was considerable, and the inhabitants were very much alarmed. 

Two persons, in one house, who were carried away by the 
sweeping current, lost their lives before they could be rescued. 

By this accident, the inhabitants were taught to fix their habi- 
tations on higher ground. 

This was called the great flood at Delaware Falls, and occurred 
in 1692. 

In the spring of this year, the proprietors of West Jersey first 
appointed Col. Andrew Hamilton to be their governor. 

Thomas Olive died about this time. He had been a man of 
importance ever since the first settlement of West Jersey. He 
came over as one of the London commissioners, in 1677, to buy 
the lands of the natives, inspect the rights of such as claimed 
property, to order the lands laid out, and in general, to admin- 
ister the government, with the other proprietors, of whom there 
were eight besides himself. He was governor in 1684, in which 
station he behaved with such prudence and circumspection as to 

*Trenton. 



158 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

give general satisfaction. While a common magistrate, he pos- 
sessed a ready method in transacting business, often doing it to 
good effect, in the seat of judgment, on the stumps in his 
meadows. When complaints were made to him which he 
thought were sudden, and without giving the matter proper con- 
sideration, he endeavored to postpone them until cool delibera- 
tion had shown them to be justly founded, and then he seldom 
failed of giving satisfaction to all parties. 

He had been imprisoned, and had suffered in other respects 
on account of his religion in England (being a Quaker), but by 
his preaching and writings, as well as his public and private 
conduct, he had gained the general love and esteem of all who 
had any dealings with him. 

In September, 1694, Thomas Gardiner departed this life. He 
was one of the early settlers at Burlington, and filled several 
public stations in the government of West Jersey. He was 
possessed of a good character, and had considerable knowledge 
of different kinds of business ; was an exemplary member of 
society, and highly esteemed for his religion. His son Thomas 
was one of the council of proprietors in 1703, to mark out the 
land purchased from the Indians, and to get a deed for the same. 

John Woolston, one of the early settlers at Burlington, who 
came over in 1677, and had lived at his first place of settlement 
for over twenty years, enduring the fatigue of a new settlement 
— who had proved himself a ready friend and neighbor, and a 
valuable member of society — died in the early part of 1698. 

The year 1701 was a memorable one in the history of New 
Jersey, on account of the disturbances and commotions that 
agitated several parties here, and the change of government that 
followed in consequence. Each province had many and differ- 
ent proprietors, who advanced separate schemes and interests, 
which sometimes interfered one with another. 

To facilitate their particular purposes, one party would assume 
the choice and management of a governor, while another would 
refuse any but the one nominated by them, and a third would 
object to proposals from either. They refused to listen to 
moderate counsels, party discord took place, and instead of 
peace and order, corruption, for a time, seemed to hold sway; 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 159 

every expedient to restore union and regularity proved unsuc- 
cessful, factions prevailed, and animosities were cherished to 
that extent, that time seemed only to impart opportunities for 
accumulating fresh occasions for disgust. 

In order to understand these things more fully, we must go 
back to 1698. Jeremiah Basse, under pretence of a commission 
he had received from some of the proprietors of East Jersey, 
with the approbation of the King, superseded Andrew Hamilton, 
the then governor of both East and West Jersey. But the next 
year it was ascertained that Basse had not received the approval 
of the King to his commission, nor had it been granted by 
enough of the proprietors to make it valid, which induced great 
numbers of the inhabitants to refuse obedience to him, and to 
the magistrates and officers appointed by him ; and some persons 
were imprisoned for refusing obedience, others resented it with 
very great indignation, and the consequence was, feuds and 
confusion followed. 

To endeavor to reconcile matters, and restore peace and har- 
mony to the colony, and to patch up matters for the present, 
Andrew Hamilton was again appointed governor, and given a 
new commission from the proprietors, but a great number refused 
obedience to him, and the magistrates and officers under him, in 
like manner and for the same reasons that they refused to obey 
Basse and those he appointed. They had no particular objection 
to Hamilton, but to the mode of his appointment, as they did 
not consider it legal, not having received a sufficient number of 
the proprietors, and being without the sanction of the King. 

The disorders in the eastern division, during this time, made 
such an impression on the minds of many of the people, that 
they readily hearkened to overtures made for a surrender of the 
government.* 

A considerable part of West Jersey was also, for similar rea- 
sons, disposed to a resignation. 

The commotions in both, wh ich had been increasing for some 

*Long before, according to the representation of the lords of trade, 
October 2d, 1 701, " tlie proprietors of East Jersey did surrender their pre- 
tended right of government to King James, in the month of April, l6S8, and 
which was accordingly accepted by him." 



i6o HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

years, now seemed to have reached a crisis, and all things 
seemed to tend towards a surrender of the powers of govern- 
ment, which was brought about in the beginning of the following 
year. 

In the meantime, sundry petitions and remonstrances were 
sent home, complaining of their grievances and the confusion 
the colony was in, and praying for redress. 

In the year 1702 the surrender was made, by a lengthy instru- 
ment signed by both divisions of East and West Jersey, of their 
pretended right of government, to Her Majesty, in which they 
recited the letters patent of James, Duke of York, under which 
he held the said territory, that the present proprietors were 
unable to govern the same, in consequence of not possessing the 
legal right so to do, but that it belonged to Her Majesty, in right 
of her crown of England, to constitute governors of the said 
provinces, and to give directions for governing the same as she 
should think fit. 

They being desirous of submitting themselves to Her Majesty, 
were willing to surrender all their pretences to the said powers 
of government, to the intent Her Majesty may be pleased to 
constitute a governor or governors of the same provinces, with 
such powers, privileges, and authorities for the government 
thereof, and making of such laws there, with the consent of the 
assembly of the said provinces, and Her Majesty's subsequent 
approbation thereof, as Her Majesty, in her great wisdom, shall 
think fit and convenient. 

The surrender was signed by forty-seven of the present pro- 
prietors of East and West Jersey. 

They further state that they have surrendered and yielded up, 
and by these presents for us and our heirs, do surrender and 
yield up unto our sovereign Lady Anne, by the Grace of God, 
Queen of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, defender of 
the faith, &c., her heirs and successors, all these the said powers 
and authorities, to correct, punish, pardon, govern, and rule all or 
any of Her Majesty's subjects, or others who now inhabit within 
the said provinces of East and West Jersey, or either of them, 
and also to nominate, make, constitute, ordain, and confirm any 
laws, ordinances, and directions, and instruments for these 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. i6i 

purposes, or any of them, and to nominate or appoint, revoke, 
discharge, change, or alter any governor or governors, officers, 
or ministers, which are or shall be appointed, made, or used 
within the said provinces, or either of them, and to make, 
ordain, and establish any orders, laws, directions, instruments, 
forms, or ceremonies of government and magistracy, for or 
concerning the government of the provinces aforesaid, or either 
of them, &c., &c. 

This was dated the 15th day of April, in the year of our Lord 
1702, and signed by the proprietors of the eastern and western 
divisions. 

The Queen's acceptance of the surrender of the government 
was dated at the court of St. James, the 17th of April, 1702, at 
which were present the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, His 
Royal Highness Prince George of Denmark, the Lord Keeper, 
Lord President, Lord Steward, Duke of Bolton, Duke of Schlum- 
berg, Duke of Leeds, Lord Great Chamberlain, Earl Marshal, 
Lord High Admiral, Lord Chamberlain, Earl of Dorset, Earl of 
Manchester, Earl of Stamford, Earl of Burlington, Earl of 
Radnor, Earl of Berkely, Earl of Rochester, Earl of Marl- 
borough, Earl of Bradford, Earl of Romney, Earl of Ranalagh, 
Lord Ferrars, Lord Godolphin, Mr. Comptroller, Mr. Vice 
Chamberlain, Mr. Secretary Vernon, Mr. Chancellor of the 
Exchequer, Lord Chief Justice, Sir Charles Hedges, and Mr. 
Smith. 

The following record was made : This day the several proprie- 
tors of East and West New Jersey, in America, did, in person, 
present a deed of surrender, by them executed under their 
hands and seals, to Her Majesty in council, and did acknow- 
ledge the same to be their act and deed, and humbly desire Her 
Majesty to accept the same, that it might be enrolled in the 
court of chancery, whereby they did surrender their power of the 
governm.ent of those plantations, which Her Majesty graciously 
accepted, and was pleased to order, as it is hereby ordered that 
the same be enrolled in Her Majesty's said high court of chan- 
cery, and the said instruments to be delivered to Mr. Attorney- 
General, who is to take care that the same be enrolled accord- 
ingly. 



1 62 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Directly after the surrender, Edward Hyde (Lord Viscount 
Cornbury), grandson of the great Chancellor Clarendon, was 
ppointed governor of Nova Csesaria, or New Jersey. His 
commission bears date December 5th, 1702, being the first year 
of the reign of Queen Anne. 

She issued lengthy instructions to her right trusty, and well 
beloved Edward Lord Cornbury, our captain-general and gov- 
ernor-in-chief, in and over our province of Nova Csesaria, or New 
Jersey, in America. Given at the court of St. James, the i6th 
day of November, 1702, in the first year of our reign. 

He was ordered to repair with all convenient speed to the 
province, and, being there arrived, to take upon him the execu- 
tion of the place and trust reposed in him, and forthwith to call 
together the following persons, whom we do, by these presents, 
appoint and constitute members of our council in and for that 
province, viz.: Edward Hunloke, Lewis Morris, Andrew 
Bowne, Samuel Jennings, Thomas Revell, Francis Davenport, 
William Pinhorne, Samuel Leonard, George Deacon, Samuel 
Walker, Daniel Leeds, William Sanford, and Robert Quarry,* 
Esquires. 

At the first meeting of the council, he was with all due solem- 
nity, to cause the commission under the great seal of England, 
constituting him captain-general and governor-in-chief, to be 
read and published, and to cause proclamation to be made in the 
several most public places in the province of his being consti- 
tuted by the Queen, as captain-general and governor-in-chief. 
After this he was to take, and then administer to each of the 
members of council, the oath of office. He was then to com- 
municate to the council such instructions received from the 
home government as he might deem requisite. 

He was commanded to avoid engaging in with any of the 
parties who had previously, by their enmity to each other, 

* Quarry was said to belong to the council for five governments at the same 
time, viz.: New York, New Jereey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. 
He died about the year 1712. Beverly, in his history of Virginia, represents 
him as joining with Nicholson, the then governor of that colony, in unfavor- 
able representations against the colonies. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 163 

caused divisions in the province, but to endeavor to unite the 
different conflicting interests. 

The members of council were to enjoy freedom of debate and 
vote, in all affairs of public concern. 

Three members of council were to form a quorum, but they 
were not to act with a quorum of less than five members, except 
in cases of necessity. 

The governor was to transmit to the crown the names of six 
persons, together with their characters and qualifications, who 
were inhabitants of the eastern division, and also six of the 
western division, whom he should esteem best qualified as coun- 
cillors, and so from time to time as any should die, depart out 
of the province, or become unfit, in order that the list may be 
always complete. 

All the officers so nominated for council, as also the principal 
officers, judges, assistants, justices and sheriffs, were to be men 
of good character, of good estates and abilities, well affected 
towards the government, and not much in debt. 

The council as established was not to be augmented or dimin- 
ished, and none of the members were to be suspended without 
good and sufficient cause. 

In order the better to consolidate the two divisions of East 
and West Jersey under one government, he was to call a gen- 
eral assembly for the enactment of laws for the mutual good of 
the whole. The first general assembly was to sit at Perth 
Amboy, in East Jersey, and the next one at Burlington, in West 
Jersey, and the future assemblies were to sit at those places 
alternately. 

The assembly was to be composed of twenty-four representa- 
tives, to be chosen, two by the inhabitants householders of the 
city or town of Perth Amboy, in East New Jersey ; two by the 
inhabitants householders of Burlington, in West New Jersey ; ten 
by the freeholders of East New Jersey, and ten by the freehold- 
ers of West New Jersey ; and no one was eligible to be elected 
or sit in the assembly, who did not own one thousand acres of 
land in his own right, within the division for which he was 
chosen, and no one vras allowed to vote, unless he owned one 



i64 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

hundred acres of land in his own right, within the division for 
which he should so vote.* 

Each different matter was to be provided for by a separate 
law, and none were to be intermixed in the same act, that had 
no proper relation to each other, or that was foreign to the title 
of the act. 

No one was to be allowed to purchase any lands from the 
Indians, except the general proprietors. 

He was to cause a census to be made of the population of the 
inhabitants of the province, and to keep an account of all per- 
sons born, christened, and buried. 

He was to take especial care that God Almighty be devoutly 
and duly served throughout the government ; the book of com- 
mon prayer, as by law established, be read each Sunday and 
holy day, and the blessed sacrament administered according to 
the rites of the church of England. Liberty of conscience 
was to be extended to all persons except papists. 

They were to give due encouragement to merchants and 
others, and in particular the Royal African Company of Eng- 
land, and the crown recommended unto said company that the 
province may have a constant and sufficient supply of merchant- 
able Negroes, at moderate rates, in money or commodities. No 
trading from said province was to be allowed to any place in 
Africa within the charter of the Royal African Company, other- 
wise than was prescribed by act of parliament, entitled, " An 
act to settle the trade to Africa." And they were to report 
yearly to the commissioners the number of Negroes that were 
brought into the province and at what rates. 

* The mode of distribution was changed by royal decree of Queen Anne, 
on the 3d of May, i7o5, by which Perth Amboy was allowed to choose two, 
Burlington two, Salem two, two by each of the five counties of East Jersey, 
and two by each of the four counties of West Jersey, still keeping the number 
at twenty-four. No person was to be chosen or sit in the assembly unless he 
owned one thousand acres of land in the division, or personal estate to the 
value of five hundred pounds sterling, either in money, goods or chattels, and 
no one was allowed to vote unless he had one hundred acres of land, or per- 
sonal estate in money, goods or chattels amounting to the value of fifty pounds 
sterling. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 165 

Appeals from the courts were to be made to the governor and 
council, provided the sum or value of the same exceeded one 
hundred pounds sterling, and in case the parties were then not 
satisfied they were to be allowed to appeal to the crown, in case 
the matter exceeded two hundred pounds sterling. 

He was, by the assistance of the council and assembly, to find 
out the best means to facilitate and encourage the conversion 
of Negroes and Indians to the christian religion. 

No person was allowed to keep a press for printing, nor was 
any book, pamphlet or other matters whatsoever, allowed to be 
printed without the especial leave or license first obtained from 
the governor. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

1703— 1707. 

Union of the two Provinces of East and West Jersey — Surrender 
to the Queen — InconvenieJtces in regard to currency — Conflict 
between the Assembly and Governor, by which he dissolves them 
— Cornbury assu7nes to be judge of the qualifications of members 
of Assembly — Resistance by the House — Reftiedies proposed to 
meet the evils in the Province — Queen Anne sustains the Assem- 
bly and removes the Governor. 

THE distinction of the two provinces of East and West Jersey 
were, as to the government, after this time laid aside, and 
both were united in one under the name of Nova Caesaria, or 
New Jersey, and all proceedings after that time were of a more 
uniform mode than they had been previously. 

It was supposed that the surrender would restore peace and 
harmony in the province \ in fact, such was the intention in 
making it, but in a short time we find them jointly struggling 
to preserve their privileges against what to them appeared to be 
the encroachments of the governor, who if his abilities had been 
equal to his birth and the interest he possessed in the province, 
he would have proved as formidable an antagonist as any that 
had come to the colonies, besides his noble birth, being the first 
cousin of Queen Anne, and son of a family that had received 
great merit in the revolution for valiant services performed. 
Having such an interest in the colony, with the disposition to 
promote harmony, had he not listened to the various factions 
who meanly sought to trumpet their own animosities, he might 
have accomplished the restoration of peace and quiet to the 
then distracted colony, and have laid the foundation for prosper- 
ity and greatness to the province, which was the principal aim 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 167 

in sending him hither; but this he utterly failed to accomplish, 
and his mission to that end proved a fruitless one, and the very 
work it was expected, and which he was sent to do, had to be 
done by another. 

He was a man of noble birth, and inherited his titles from a 
long line of ancestors, who had always stood high in his native 
country, yet he had not the prowess to battle against the differ- 
ent factions he found in the province upon his assuming, by 
direction of the crown, the reins of government. 

He had a large interest in the colonies, and his desire was for 
peace, but instead of using his own discretion in governing, he 
had a desire to please all, and by that means involved himself in 
constant turmoil and difficulties, and in striving to please all, he 
gave satisfaction to none, whereas had he pursued a different 
course, he would have rendered greater satisfaction. 

Lord Cornbury arrived in New Jersey in the month of August, 
1703, and his first act was to publish his commission, both at 
Amboy and Burlington. He then returned to his government 
at New York, where he remained but a short time, when he 
returned to New Jersey, and convened the assembly to meet on 
the loth of November at Perth Amboy.* Thomas Gardiner 
was chosen speaker, f 

He was presented and accepted, and then in conformity with 
the practice of parliament, they made a demand of the par- 
ticular privileges of assemblies, as follows : 

1. That the members, with their servants, shall be free from 
arrests or being molested in any way, during the session. 

2. That they have free access to His Excellency's person, 
when occasion requires. 

* The first representatives were Obadiah Bown, Jedediah Allen, Michael 
Howden, Peter Van Este, John Reid, John Harrison, Cornelius Tunison, 
Richard Hartshorne, Col. Richard Tounley, for the eastern division ; and 
Thomas Lambert, William Biddle, William Stevenson, Restore Lippincott, 
John Kay, John Hugg, Jr., Joseph Cooper, William Hall, John Mason, and 
John Smith, for the western division ; Peter Fretwell and Thomas Gardiner, 
for the town of Burlington j and Thomas Gordon and Miles Forster, for the 
city of Perth Amboy. 

I Son of him whose death was mentioned before. 



1 68 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

3. That they may have liberty of speech, and a favorable 
construction of all debates that may arise among them. 

4. That if any misunderstanding shall happen to arise be- 
tween the council and the house, that in such a case a committee 
of the council may be appointed to confer with a committee ©f 
the house, for adjusting and reconciling all such differences. 

5. That these requests may be approved by His Excellency 
and council, and entered in the council books. 

The governor, in answer, told them that he granted the three 
first, as the just and midoubted right of the house, but rejected 
the fourth as an innovation, and accordingly ordered an entry 
of the same in the council books, after which he made an address 
to the council and general assembly as follows : 

" Gentlemen : — The proprietors of East and West New 
Jersey, having, upon very mature consideration, thought fit to 
surrender to Her Most Sacred Majesty, the Great Queen of Eng- 
land, my mistress, all the powers of government which they 
supposed were vested in them, the Queen has been pleased to 
unite these formerly two provinces, now into one, under the 
name of Nova Coesaria, or New Jersey Her Majesty has been 
pleased graciously to honor me with the trust of this government, 
and has commanded me to assure you of her protection upon 
all occasions, and you may assure yourselves that under her 
auspicious reign, you will enjoy all the liberty, happiness and 
satisfaction that good subjects can wish for, under a most 
gracious Queen, and the best laws in the universe (I mean the 
laws of England), which all the world would be glad to partake 
of, and none are so happy to enjoy but those whose propitious 
stars have placed under the most happily constituted monarchy. 
I will not question but that you on your parts, will do all that 
can be expected from faithful subjects, both for the satisfaction 
of the Queen, and the good and safety of your country, which 
must be attended with general satisfaction to all people. 

"In order to attain these good ends, I most earnestly recom- 
mend it both to you, gentlemen of Her Majesty's council, 
and you, gentlemen of the assembly, to apply yourselves heartily 
and seriously to the reconciling the unhappy differences which 
have happened in this province ; that as the Queen has united 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 169 

the two provinces, so the minds of all the people may be firmly- 
united in the service of the Queen and good of the country, 
which are all one, and cannot be separated without danger of 
destroying both. 

*' Gentlemen, you are now met in general assembly on pur- 
pose to prepare such bills to be passed into laws, to be trans- 
mitted into England for Her Majesty's approbation, as may best 
conduce to the settling of this province upon a lasting founda- 
tion of happiness and quiet ; only I must recommend it to you, 
that the bills you shall think fit to offer, may not be repugnant 
to the laws of England, but, as much as may be, agreeable to 
them. I must recommend to you, gentlemen, in the wording of 
your bills, to observe the style of enacting by the governor, 
council and assembly, and likewise that each different matter 
may be enacted by a different law, to avoid confusion. 

"In all laws whereby you shall think fit to grant money, or 
to impose any fines or penalties, express mention may be made 
that the same is granted or reserved unto Her Majesty, her heirs 
or successors, for the public use of this province, and the sup- 
port of the government thereof. 

" Gentlemen, I am farther commanded by the Queen, to 
recommend it to you, to raise and settle a revenue for defraying 
the necessary charges of the government of this province, in 
order to support the dignity of it. 

" I am likewise commanded to recommend to your care the 
preparing one or more bill or bills whereby the right and pro- 
perty of the general proprietors to the soil of this province may 
be confirmed to them, according to their respective titles, to- 
gether with all quit rents and all other privileges as are expressed 
in the conveyances made by the Duke of York, except only the 
right of government, which remains in the Queen. 

" Now, gentlemen, I have acquainted you with some of those 
things which the Queen is desirous to have done. I shall like- 
wise acquaint you that Her Majesty has been graciously pleased 
to grant to all her subjects in this province (except papists) 
liberty of conscience. I must further inform you that the Queen 
has commanded me not to receive any present from the general 
assembly of this province, and that no person who may succeed 



170 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

me in this government may claim any present for the future. I 
am commanded to take care that Her Majesty's orders may be 
entered at large in the council books, and the books of the 
general assembly. 

" Now, gentlemen, I have no more to offer you at this time, 
only I recommend to you dispatch in the matters before you, 
and unanimity in your consultations, as that which will always 
best and most effectually conduce to the good of the whole." 

The governor's speech having been read in the house, the fol- 
lowing address was made : 

" May it please your Excellency : 

" I am commanded by this house to return your Excellency 
our hearty thanks for your Excellency's many kind expressions 
to them contained in your Excellency's speech, and it is our 
great satisfaction that Her Majesty has been pleased to constitute 
your Excellency our governor. 

" We are well assured the proprietors, by their surrender of 
their rights to the government of this province, have put us in 
circumstances much better than we were in under their adminis- 
tration, they not being able to protect us from the villainies of 
wicked men, and having an entire dependence on Her Majesty 
that she will protect us in the full enjoyment of our rights, liber- 
ties and properties, do thank your Excellency for that assurance 
you are pleased to give us of it, and think our stars have been 
very propitious in placing us under the government and direction 
of the greatest of Queens, and the best of laws. And we do 
entreat your Excellency to believe that our best endeavors shall 
not be wanting to accomplish those things which shall be for the 
satisfaction of the Queen, the general good of the country, and 
(if possible) to the universal satisfaction of all the people. With 
our prayers to the God of Heaven, we shall join our utmost 
endeavors to unite our unhappy differences, and hope, with the 
assistance of your Excellency and council, it will not be impos- 
sible to accomplish that blessed work. We shall follow the 
directions given in your Excellency's speech, with what dispatch 
the nature of the things require, and hope that all our consulta- 
tions may conduce to the best and greatest ends. 

" Memorandiun : that all the members of this house do agree 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 171 

to the subject matter above written, though several of them 
dissent from some of the expressions therein contained." 

This address having been presented, the assembly, after regu- 
lating the elections complained of, prepared several bills, only 
one of which, that relating to the purchase of lands from the 
Indians, which was prepared in accordance with an article in 
Cornbury's instructions, received the sanction of the governor. 

This bill prohibited purchases or gifts of land being made or 
received from the Indians without license from the proprietors, 
after December ist, 1703, under penalty of forfeiting forty 
shillings per acre. It was also retrospective and made void all 
Indian bargains, gifts, leases or mortgages, without an English 
title, unless covered with a propriety right in six months there- 
after. 

The governor put an end to this session on the 13th of 
December, by notifying the assembly that the season being far 
advanced, it was absolutely necessary to conclude their business. 

That he wished the several bills before him and them could 
have been dispatched, but that the matters contained in them 
were of so great moment, the difficulties so many and the time 
so short, that it was impossible to finish. 

That being now acquainted with the nature of those difficul- 
ties, they should come prepared in the spring to remove them, 
and provide such good laws as might effectually ascertain the 
rights of the several proprietors, and fully 'secure every man's 
property. 

These being the points which would most conduce to the peace 
and welfare of the colony, he recommended the council and 
assembly to employ their serious thoughts, that the most effectual 
means to attain those desirable ends might be discovered, and to 
point out other useful laws, and then he concludes with obser- 
ving that they would ever find him ready to consent to all such 
things as should be for the good of the whole. 

Great inconveniences were experienced in the year 1704, in 
consequence of the same coin bearing different values in the 
provinces on the continent. To remedy this by one general 
medium. Queen Anne published her proclamation for ascertain- 
ing the value of foreign coin in America, by which she reduced 



172 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

all foreign coins to the same current rate within all her dominions 
in America. 

In order to show the just proportion which each coin ought 
to have to the other, she set forth in this proclamation that 
Sevill pieces of eight, old plate, weighing seventeen penny- 
weights twelve grains, should pass at the rate of four shillings 
and sixpence ; Sevill pieces of eight,* new plate, fourteen penny- 
weight, three shillings and sevenpence one farthing; Mexico 
pieces of eight, seventeen pennyweights twelve grains, four shil- 
lings and sixpence; pillar pieces of eight, seventeen penny- 
weights twelve grains, four shillings and threepence six farthings ; 
Peru pieces of eight, old plate, seventeen pennyweights twelve 
grains, four shillings and sixpence, or thereabouts ; cross dollars, 
eighteen pennyweights, four shillings and fourpence three 
farthings; ducatoons of Flanders, twenty pennyweights and 
twenty-one grains, five shillings and sixpence; eau's of France, 
or Silver Louis, seventeen pennyweights twelve grains, four 
shillings and sixpence ; crusadoes of Portugal, eleven penny- 
weights four grains, two shillings and tenpence one farthing ; 
the silver pieces of Holland, twelve pennyweights and seven 
grains, five shillings and twopence one farthing ; old rix dollars 
of the empire, eighteen pennyweights and ten grains, four shil- 
lings and sixpence ; the half, quarters and other parts in pro- 
portion to their denominations, and light pieces in proportion to 
their weight. 

From and after the ist day of January, 1705, no Sevill, 
pillar, or Mexico pieces of eight, though of the full weight of 
seventeen pennyweights and a half, was to be accounted, received, 
taken or paid, within any of the colonies or plantations, at above 
the rate of six shillings per piece, current money, for the dis- 
charge of any contracts or bargains to be made after the said 
ist day of January; the halves, quarters, and other lesser pieces 
of the same coins, to be accounted, received, taken, or paid in 
the same proportion, and the currency of all pieces of eight of 
Peru, dollars and other foreign species of silver coins, whether 
the same or baser alloy, shall, after the said ist day of January, 



* Eight to a dollar. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 173 

stand regulated according to their weight and fineness, 
and in proportion to the rate before limited, and set for the 
pieces of Sevill, pillar and Mexico. So that no foreign silver 
coin of any sort, be permitted to exceed the same proportion 
upon any account whatsoever. 

This proclamation was dated at Windsor castle, June i8th, 
1704, in the third year of the reign of Queen Anne. 

Cornbury met the assembly at Burlington, the 7th of Septem- 
ber, and his first recommendation to them was to prepare a bill 
to ascertain the rights of the general proprietors to the soil of 
the province, and to settle a fund for the support of govern- 
ment. He also took occasion to urge upon them the passage of 
a law to establish a militia, and also to establish a watch house 
on the Navesink hills. This was caused in consequence of a 
French privateer having committed a number of depredations on 
the settlers at Sandy Hook and the surrounding country. 

They took these matters into consideration, but it appears 
that their acts did not suit the governor, for on the 28th, he 
abruptly sent for and dissolved them, and issued writs for a 
new election, and for the new assembly to meet at Burlington, 
on the 13th of November following. 

This election was so managed, that a majority of the members 
returned were in accord with the governor. 

They met at the time, but were divided in their choice for a 
speaker. The two candidates were Peter Fretwell and John 
Bowne, the votes for each being equal, they called upon their 
clerk, William Anderson, to give the casting vote, which he 
gave to Fretwell, who was accordingly placed in the chair,* then 
receiving the speech, they, by an address, complimented Corn- 
bury with going through the affairs of government with great 
diligence and exquisite management, to the admiration of his 

* The members of this assembly were John Bowne, Richard Hartshorn^ 
Richard Salter, Obadiah Bown, Anthony Woodward, John Tunison, John 
Lawrence, Jasper Crane, Peter Van Este, Thomas Gorden, John Barclay, and 
"[ohn Royse, for the eastern division ; and for the western division, Restore 
Lippincott, John Hugg, John Kay, John Smith, William Hall, John Mason, 
Thomas Bryan, Robert Wheeler, Peter Fretwell, Thomas Lambert, Thomas 
Gardiner, and Joshua Wright. 



174 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

friends, and envy of his enemies, and passed a bill to raise two 
thousand pounds,* per annum, by tax, for the support of govern- 
ment, which was to continue two years. 

At this session they passed several other laws, among which 
was one for establishing a militia, by the unnecessary severity of 
which those conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms were 
great sufferers. 

On the 1 2th of December, the governor adjourned them till 
next year, with more encomiums on their conduct than many of 
them received from their constituents on their return home, for 
their servility to the governor was almost universally condemned. 
During this session they had tamely submitted to the arbitrary 
will of Cornbury, to deprive them of three of their best mem- 
bers — Thomas Gardiner, Thomas Lambert, and Joshua Wright — 
under pretence of their not owning sufficient land to qualify 
them for a seat in the body, though they were well known to be 
men of sufficient estates. 

The assembly again met at Amboy, in 1705, at which those 
who had composed the previous assembly declared in regard to 
these men, the members had heretofore satisfied the house of 
their being duly qualified to sit in the same, and they were then 
admitted, after the purposes of their exclusion had been fully 
answered. This session was in October and November, but 
nothing of much consequence was transacted, and the session 
which followed at the same place, in October, 1 706, also prov- 
ing unsuccessful, Cornbury again dissolved the assembly. 

In the eleventh month of this year, the council of proprietors 
for the western division, met in accordance with their usual 
practice. 

There were present at this meeting William Biddle, Samuel 
Jennings, (President) George Deacon, John Wills, William Hall, 
Christopher Wetherill, and John Kay. 

Cornbury sent an order to this council, and proposed certain 
measures which he desired them to take action upon, but which, 
for some reasons, they delayed action thereon ; but in the 
spring of the following year, 1707, he sent for the council of 

*Out of this sum Lieutenant-Governor Ingolsby received six hundred 
pounds. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 175 

proprietors to meet him at Burlington, at which meeting he 
proposed a number of questions to them, on the same subject as 
he had previously, and demanded a positive answer to each. 

The only satisfaction he received from them, was a summary 
of their constitution and establishment, a copy of which they 
sent him, as an answer to the three questions propounded by 
him to them.* 

In their answer they put forth the questions propounded, which 
were as follows : 

1. Who were the council of proprietors of last year, and who 
were chosen for this year, 1707, and to have the names of them? 

2. What are the powers the said council pretend to have ? 

3. By whom constituted ? 

They replied, that the persons chosen for the last year to 
serve the proprietors as agents or trustees, were William Biddle, 
Samuel Jennings, George Deacon, John Wills, and Christopher 
Wetherill, for the county of Burlington ; and John Reading, 
Francis Collings, John Kay, and William Hall, of Salem, for the 
county of Gloucester and below ; and for the present year, 1707, 
William Biddle, Samuel Jennings, Lewis Morris, George Deacon, 
John Wills, John Kay, John Reading, Thomas Gardiner, and 
William Hall, of Salem. 

In answer to the second question, they state that in the year 
1677, the first ship came there from England, which brought the 
first inhabitants that came to settle in these remote parts. By 
virtue of Byllinge's right, before she sailed the proprietors met 
together in London to settle some certain method how the pur- 
chasers of land from Byllinge and others should have their just 
rights laid forth to them, and selected Joseph Helmsley, William 
Emley, John Penford, Benjamin Scott, Daniel Wills, Thomas 
Olive and Robert Stacy, as commissioners, empowering them to 
purchase what lands they could from the Indians, and to inspect 

*This was delivered to Cornbuiy in council, on the 30th of the eleventh 
month. The proprietors then present were Samuel Jennings, William Hall, 
Thomas Gardiner, John Wills, John Kay, Christopher Wetherill, and Lewis 
Morris. With this answer, they delivered to the governor and council two 
papers containing the names of several of the proprietors, declaring the appro- 
bation of the council, and one Indian deed. 



176 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

all rights as any lands were claimed, and when satisfied to order 
the laying out of the same, which they accordingly did. 

Some of them being compelled to return to England, the 
management of their rights was assumed by the assembly, and 
so continued until 1687, when they relinquished it, and on the 
14th of February of that year, the proprietors met at Burlington 
and chose and elected eleven persons from among themselves to 
act for the whole for the next ensuing year, (this was subse- 
quently changed to nine) who accordingly ratified the constitu- 
tion ; since which time the same method had been practised, and 
no evil results had arisen from it, but on the contrary great 
advantage had been the result to the proprietors. 

The powers of those that are now and have been all along, 
they are the same with the first that came over from England in 
1677. As to the constitution of said agents, trustees or committee, 
and by whom constituted, it is on certain days in the county of 
Burlington and Gloucester, yearly and every year, they are 
chosen by the proprietors. 

The above was substantially the report they made to his Ex- 
cellency. 

They concluded by saying : " The above is as good an account 
as we that are present are able to give, in answer to what was 
required of us by your lordship, and pray it may find acceptance 
as such, but if any other thing may seem needful to be answered, 
we humbly pray it may for this time be suspended, till the whole 
can be got together." 

The writs for the new assembly were returnable to Burlington, 
April 5th, 1707. 

It was soon manifest in this assembly that Cornbury had not 
the success in elections as in the former choice. His conduct 
having been arbitrary, the people were dissatisfied. 

The assembly chose Samuel Jennings, speaker, received the 
governor's speech, and soon after resolved themselves into a 
committee of the whole house to consider grievances. This 
committee continued sitting from day to day, till at last they 
passed fifteen resolutions, which they laid before the Queen, 
together with a petition, on the 8th day of May. They also 
remonstrated their grievances to the governor. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 177 

This remonstrance contained much of a history of the times, 
and though things were carried to arbitrary lengths, there were 
not wanting in the province men of discernment to see and 
lament the unhappy situation of their country, and of spirit to 
oppose its greatest enemies; several of such were in this assembly, 
prominent among whom was the speaker.* He had very early 
known New Jersey, had lived in it through various changes and 
amid commotions, and had seen great alterations in it. Being 
largely concerned in public transactions, he knew what belonged 
to a public character. He had governed the western part of the 
province for several years, with integrity and reputation. He 
saw the advantages of a just confidence, and that this was the 
only way to acquire it. That though the office was in itself 
respectable, it was the honest execution of it that added to its 
dignity, produced the intended service, and secured the appro- 
bation of a kind but watchful mistress, who desired nothing but 
the welfare of her subjects, for such Queen Anne was ever found 
to be. 

Jennings was also undaunted, and Lord Cornbury on his part, 
exacted the utmost decorum. While as speaker he was delivering 
the remonstrance, the governor frequently interrupted him with 
a stop, "What's that," &c., at the same time putting on a coun- 
tenance of authority and sternness, the intention of which 
evidently was to confound him. 

With due submission, yet firmness, whenever interrupted, he 
camly desired leave to read the passages over again, and did it 
with additional emphasis upon those most complaining, so that 
on the second reading they became more observable than at 
first, t 

He at length got through, when the governor told the house 
to attend him again on Saturday next, at eleven o'clock, to 
receive his answer. 

He did not, however, get ready with it until the 12th, when, 
sending for the house, he delivered it. 

* Lewis Morris also now distinguished himself in behalf of privilege, and 
exercised a large share in the whole conduct of this assembly. 

f After the house had adjourned, Cornbury, with some emotion, told those 
that were with him, that Jennings had impudence enough to face the devil. 

M 



178 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The governor was surrogate-general, and before him all wills 
were admitted to probate, and this was one of the grievances 
the assembly complained of, as the governor resided at New 
York, and very seldom came into the province ; in fact he admits 
in his answer, that he had only been there twice during the 
year, once at Burlington, and once at Amboy. He had, how- 
ever, appointed a surrogate at Burlington, before whom any of 
the inhabitants of either division might have their wills proved. 

The reply of the governor to the assembly's remonstrance, 
was a lengthy document, and in it he endeavored to answer the 
charges made by them. 

The assembly did not, however, immediately reply to the 
governor, having the treasurer's, Peter Fauconier's, accounts to 
settle, in which they found many articles of an extraordinary 
nature, several of them having been paid by Cornbury's order 
merely, and the whole without vouchers. They therefore sent 
for the treasurer, and he came before them, but refused to pro- 
duce his vouchers without the governor's commands. 

Two members were sent to the governor, to request him to 
order the treasurer to lay the vouchers before them. The reply 
of the governor was that he had already ordered it, though he 
had no legal right to do so, because the lord high treasurer had 
appointed an auditor-general for the province, and he not being 
in it, had deputed one to audit the accounts, and that the 
treasurer was accountable only to the lord high treasurer. But 
if the house was dissatisfied with any of the articles in the 
account, and thought proper to apply to him, he would satisfy 
them. This was not, however, done, and the accounts, extraor- 
dinary as they were, remained unsettled till Governor Hunter's 
administration, several years after. 

Several bills of considerable importance were now under con- 
sideration, but Cornbury, apprehensive that if he suffered the 
session to continue much longer it might be productive of 
something greatly to his disadvantage, so on the i6th he 
adjourned the house to meet at Amboy the September following. 

They did not, however, meet till October, and the first thing 
they concluded on, was a reply to the answer of the governor to 
their remonstrance, after which they resolved that they would 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 179 

raise no money till the governor consented to redress the griev- 
ances of the country, which, if he did, they would raise one 
thousand five hundred pounds, for the support of the govern- 
ment for one year. 

On the 28th, the house sent a committee to acquaint the 
governor that having seen his answer to their remonstrance in 
print, they thought it their duty to make a reply to it, and 
desired to know when he would admit them to wait on him 
with it. 

The governor replied that he would return them an answer in 
due time. They waited for his message until the next day, and 
then- concluding that he intended not to give them an oppor- 
tunity of presenting it, sent a committee with it, and ordered it 
to be entered in full in their journal. 

They told him " it were needless to hunt after imaginary 
grievances, as real ones in too great numbers present themselves, 
and though from you we have missed of obtaining that relief 
that the justice of our complaints entitled us to, yet we do not 
despair of being heard by Her Sacred Majesty, at whose royal feet 
we shall, in the humblest manner, lay an account of our suffer- 
ings, and however contemptible we are, or are endeavored to be 
made appear, we are persuaded Her Majesty will consider us as 
the representatives of the province of New Jersey, who must 
better know what are the grievances of the country they repre- 
sent, than a governor can do, who regularly ought to receive 
information of that kind from them, and we do not doubt that 
glorious Queen, will make her subjects here as easy and happy 
as she can. 

" When we told Your Excellency, we had reason to think some 
of our sufferings were very much owing to Your Excellency's 
long absence from this province, which rendered it very difficult 
to apply to your lordship in some cases that might need a present 
help, we spoke truth And notwithstanding all Your Excellency 
has said of a month's or twelve weeks being here in a year, and 
the weekly going of a post, we cannot be persuaded to believe 
that nine months and upwards, in a year, is not a long absence, 
especially when the seal of the province is carried and kept out 
of the government all that time, and the Honorable Colonel 



i8o HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Ingolsby, the lieutenant-governor, so far from doing right, that 
he declined doing any act of government at all. Whether he 
governs himself by Your Excellency's directions or not, we 
cannot tell. But sure we are, that this province, being as it 
were without government for above nine months in a year, we 
must still think it a great grievance, and not made less so by 
carrying the seal of the province to New York. 

"We are apt to believe, upon the credit of Your Excellency's 
assertion, that there may be a number of people in the province 
who will never be faithful to, or live quietly under^ any govern- 
ment, nor suffer their neighbors to enjoy any peace, quiet, nor 
happiness, if they can help it. Such people are pests in all 
government, have ever been so in this, and we know of none 
who can lay a fairer claim to these characters, than many of 
Your Excellency's favorites." 

One of the complaints of the assembly was, that some persons 
under sentence of death for murder, have not only remained 
until this time unexecuted (they having been condemned not 
long after Lord Cornbury's accession to the government), but 
often have been suffered to go at large ; one of those persons is a 
woman that murdered her own child, another a woman that 
poisoned her husband. The keeping of them so long has been 
a very great charge. The blood of these innocents cries aloud 
for vengeance, and just Heaven will not fail to pour it down 
upon our already miserable country, if they are not made to 
suffer according to their demerits. 

To this Cornbury answered : " Two women that have been 
condemned for murdering, have not been executed, there having 
appeared most notorious malice and revenge in some people 
who were zealous in their prosecutions. The Queen is the 
fountain of honor, justice and mercy, and as she is so, she may, 
when she pleases, exert her mercy, either in reprieving or par- 
doning the criminal. That power of pardoning and reprieving, 
after condemnation, the subjects of this province, Her Majesty 
has been pleased to entrust me with, and I am no ways account- 
able to any person or number of persons whatsoever, for what I 
do in those matters, but to the Queen's Majesty alone." 

To this the assembly again replies : 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. i8i 

** What malice and revenge were in the prosecution of the 
condemned persons, we don't know. 

"We never heard of any till now, and hardly can be per- 
suaded to believe it's possible there should be in both instances. 

"It is not impossible, there might be malice in the prosecu- 
tion of the woman who was condemned for poisoning her 
husband, there not being, as is said, plain proof of the fact, 
but it was proved she had attempted it before more than once, 
and there were so many other concurring circumstances as did 
induce the jury, who were of the neighborhood, and well knew 
her character, to find her guilty, and it is hardly probable their 
so doing was an act of malice. 

" The woman who murdered her own child, did it in such a 
manner, and so publicly, that it is unreasonable to suppose there 
could be any malice in the prosecution of her, and we cannot 
think, notwithstanding Your Excellency's assertions, that you 
can or may believe there was. This woman was a prisoner in 
the sheriif's custody for breach of the peace, and going about 
some of the household affairs the sheriff employed her in, with a 
knife in her hand, her child, who was something forward, followed 
her, crying, upon which the mother turned back to it and cut 
its throat ; but not having cut it deep enough, the child still 
followed her, all bloody, and crying ' O ! mother, you have 
hurt me,' the mother turned back a second time, and cut it 
effectually, and then took it up and carried it to the sheriff, or 
his wife, at whose feet she laid it. How far such a wretch is 
entitled to the Queen's favor. Her Majesty can best tell, when 
she is made acquainted with the fact, but sure we are, she never 
gave Your Excellency the power of pardoning willful murder. 
Whether Your Excellency has or has not reprieved them, you 
best know, and are only accountable to Her Majesty for your 
procedures therein, though we have too much reason to believe, 
the favorable opinion Your Excellency has so publicly expressed 
of her, has been a great reason to induce her to make her 
escape, which she has done." 

Cornbury, contrary to all law or custom, assumed to be the 
judge of the qualifications of the members of the assembly, and 
dictated to them whether they should be received or not, which 



i82 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

they, in their address to the Queen, stigmatized as a direct con- 
tradiction to the very nature and being of assemblies, and which, 
if allowed, would render the liberties, lives and properties of the 
people entirely at the disposal of the executive, which was never 
intended by Her Majesty. The house was therefore compelled, 
in order to sustain its dignity, to take notice of a procedure 
which would tend to destroy the very being of assemblies by ren- 
dering them the tools of a governor's arbitrary pleasure, and the 
enemies instead of the preservers of the liberties of the country. 

Her Majesty's loyal subjects were taken to jails, and there 
allowed to remain without being admitted to bail. Several of 
Her Majesty's good subjects were forced to abscond and leave 
their habitations, being threatened with imprisonment, and no 
hopes of receiving the benefit of the law, when the absolute will 
of the governor is the sole measure of it. 

They set forth that " one minister of the Church of England 
was dragged by a sheriff from Burlington to Amboy, and there 
kept in custody, without any reason having been assigned for it, 
and was at last hauled by force into a boat by his Excellency, 
and transported like a malefactor into another government, and 
there kept in a garrison a prisoner, without any reason being 
assigned for these violent procedures but the pleasure of his 
excellency. 

" Another minister of the Church of England was laid under 
the necessity of leaving the province, from the reasonable appre- 
hensions of meeting with the same treatment. No orders of 
men, either sacred or civil, were secure in their lives, their 
liberties or estates, under Corn bury 's arbitrary rule." 

They then go on to say : "If these, and what we have named 
before, be acts of mercy, gentleness and good nature ; if this be 
doing for the good, welfare and prosperity of the people of this 
province ; if this be the administering laws for the protection 
and preservation of Her Majesty's subjects, then have we been 
the most mistaken men in the world, and have had the falsest 
notion of things, calling that cruelty, oppression and injustice, 
which are their direct opposites, and these things slavery, impri- 
sonment and hardships, which are freedom, liberty and ease, and 
must henceforth take France, Denmark, the Muscovian, Otto- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 183 

man and Eastern empires, to be the best models of a gentle and 
happy government." 

The western proprietors resid ng in England had resented 
Cornbury's treatment of the inhabitants, especially in relation 
to the three members being kept out of the assembly, by which 
he secured a majority devoted to his measures. They issued a 
memorial to the right honorable the Lords Commissioners for 
trade and plantations, dated November 15th, 1704, in which they 
acknowledge the justness of the commissioners in making the 
terms of the surrender of government part of Lord Cornbury's 
instructions relating to the province, and regretted that his Ex- 
cellency had not given them occasion to acknowledge his due 
observance of these instructions instead of their having to trouble 
them with a complaint of his breach of them. 

They assert that the instructions in regard to representatives 
and electors, which was relied upon by them as the chief security 
of their estates in that province, his Excellency not only violated 
but totally destroyed that part of the constitution in such a man- 
ner as to render all assemblies a mere piece of formality, and 
only the tools of a governor's arbitrary pleasure. 

Their memorial was quite a lengthy document, but as most of 
the matters contained in it have been before introduced, we 
deem it unnecessary to quote more at length. 

Two days after Cornbury had refused to receive the assembly's 
reply he sent for them, and though several important bills were 
unfinished, adjourned the house to the spring of the following 
year. Not having received the reply in form, he escaped the 
necessity of attempting to clear up what he could not do with 
justice and equity. Some of the glaring facts still confirmed the 
truth of the charges against him. He thought he had a more 
effectual way of dealing, which was, to lodge a complaint with 
the Queen, and to accomplish his ends he procured his trusty 
friend Ingolsby, the lieutenant-governor, with some of the 
council, to sign and privately transmit an address to her. 

This address was signed by Richard Ingolsby, AVilliam Pin- 
horne, R. Mompeson, Thomas Revell, Daniel Leeds, Daniel 
Coxe, Richard Townley, Robert Quarry, and William Sandford. 
It set forth, "that the lieutenant-governor and council (although 



1 84 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

it was signed by only eight of the council out of twenty-four,) 
while the petition of the West Jersey proprietors alone was 
signed by eighteen of the proprietors residing in England, and 
the remonstrance was signed by the speaker in behalf of the 
majority of the assembly, who adopted it nemine contradicejite, 
(without opposition of the minority) of Your Majesty's province 
of Nova Csesaria or New Jersey, having seriously and deliber- 
ately taken into consideration the proceedings of the present 
assembly or representative body of this province, thought our- 
selves bound, both in duty and conscience, to testify to Your 
Majesty our dislike and abhorrence of the same, being very 
sensible that the unaccountable honors and pernicious designs of 
some particular men,* have put themselves upon so many 
irregularities, with intention only to occasion divisions and dis- 
tractions, to the disturbance of the great and weighty affairs 
which both Your Majesty's honor and dignity, as well as peace 
and welfare, of the country required. Their high encroachments 
upon Your Majesty's prerogative royal ; notorious violations of 
the rights and liberties of the subjects ; manifest interruptions 
of justice and most unmannerly treatment of his Excellency 
Lord Cornbury, would have induced us sooner to have discharged 
our duty to Your Majesty, in giving a full representation of the 
unhappy circumstances of this Your Majesty's province and 
government, had we not been in hopes that His Excellency, the 
Lord Cornbury's, full and ample answer to a most scandalous 
libel, called the remonstrance of the assembly of Nova Caesaria, 
or New Jersey, which was delivered to the governor by the 
assembly at Burlington in May last, would have opened the eyes 
of the assembly and brought them back to their reason and duty ; 
but finding that these few turbulent and uneasy spirits in the 
assembly}" have still been able to influence and amuse the judg- 
ments of many well-meaning men in that body, as appears by a 
late scandalous and infainous libel called, *' The reply of the 
house of representatives of the province of New Jersey, to an 

* The assembly representing the whole people. 

I He stigmatizes them as few, when they were two-thirds of the entire 
assembly, representing in the same ratio, the people of the province. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 185 

answer made by His Excellency, Edward Viscount Cornbury, 
governor of the said province, to the humble remonstrance of 
the aforesaid house. We are now obliged humbly to represent 
to Your Majesty the true cause which we conceive may lead to 
the remedy of these confusions. 

" The first is owing to the turbulent, factious, uneasy, and 
disloyal principles of two men in that assembly, Mr. Lewis 
Morris, and Samuel Jennings, a quaker ;* men notoriously 
known to be uneasy under all government ; men never known to 
be consistent with themselves ; men to whom all the factions and 
confusions in the government of New Jersey and Pennsylvania for 
many years are wholly owing; men that have had the confidence 
to declare in open council that Your Majesty's instructions to your 
governors in these provinces shall not oblige or bind them, nor 
will they be concluded by them further than they are warranted 
by law, of which also they will be the judges. And this is done 
by them (as we have all reason in the world to believe) to 
encourage not only this government, but also the rest of your 
governments in America, to throw off Your Majesty's royal 
prerogative, and consequently to involve your dominions in this 
part of the world, and the honest, good and well meaning 
people in them, in confusion, hoping thereby to obtain their 
wicked purposes. 

" The remedy for all these evils, we most humbly propose, is, 
that Your ]\Iajesty will most graciously please to discouitenance 
these wicked, designing men, and show some dislike to this 
assembly's proceedings, who are resolved neither to support this 
Your Majesty's government by a revenue, nor take care to defend 
it by settling a militia. 

" The last libel, called * the reply, &c.,' came out so suddenly,f 
that as we have yet had no time to answer it in all its particulars, 
but do assure Your Majesty it is for the most part false in facts, 
and that part of it which carries any face of truth, they have 
been malicious and unjust in not mentioning the whole truth. 



* These two were the most staunch patriots in the assembly, and had the 
entire confidence of the people. 

f Because the governor could not answer it, he at once dissolved the 
assembly. 



1 86 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

which would have fully justified my Lord Cornbury's just con- 
duct. Thus, having discharged this part of our duty, which we 
thought at present incumbent upon us, we beg leave to assure 
Your Majesty that whenever we shall see the people of this prov- 
ince labor under anything like a grievance, we shall, according 
to our duty, immediately apply to the governor, with our best 
advice for the redress of it, and we have no reason yet to doubt 
of a ready compliance in him. 

" We shall not be particular, but crave leave to refer to His 
Excellency's representation of them to the right honorable the 
lords commissioners for trade and plantations. 

" The strenuous asserting of Your Majesty's prerogative royal, 
and vindicating the honor of your governor, the Lord Cornbury, 
will in our humble opinion, be so absolutely necessary at this 
juncture, that without your so doing. Your Majesty will find 
yourself deceived, either in expectation of a revenue for support 
of the government, or militia for its defence. 

'' In hopes Your Majesty will take these important things into 
consideration, and His Excellency the Lord Cornbury, with all 
the members of Your Majesty's council, into your royal favor 
and protection, we shall conclude with our most fervent prayers 
to the Most High, to lengthen your days and increase your 
glories. And that ourselves in particular, and all others in 
general, who reap the benefits of Your Majesty's most gentle 
and happy government, may be, and ever continue, the most 
loyal and dutiful of subjects to the most glorious and best of 
Queens." 

The grievance of the assembly was duly taken into considera- 
tion by Queen Anne, and she was, under the circumstances, 
compelled to recall Lord Cornbury, and Lord John Lovelace 
was appointed to succeed him. 

The colonists left their own country and came here to avoid 
oppression and tyrrany, and to seek an asylum in a new country, 
where they could peaceably enjoy their liberties, both civil and 
religious, but when their governor manifested towards them 
such acts of unwarranted hostility, their consciences and their 
love for the good Queen Anne, would not permit them tamely 
to submit, and they were therefore compelled to remonstrate; 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 187 

their remonstrance was heard and their wrongs speedily redressed. 
They intended liere to establish a home for the oppressed of 
all nations, religions and creeds. Their constitution was a 
liberal one, and guaranteed to them all the rights of freedom, 
and when efforts were being made to trample those rights in tlie 
dust, they wisely remonstrated against them, their petitions 
were heard and their grievances remedied at once, for had it 
not been, they had resolved not to tamely submit to what the>' 
considered and felt was an unwarrantable interference in their 
just and established rights, guaranteed to them when they landed 
on these shores, and these rights they were determined to main- 
tain, peaceably if they could, but by force if they must. Thus 
in all time showing the spirit which has animated our forefathers. 



CHAPTER IX. 

1708 — 1710. 

Lord Lovelace succeeds Cornbury — His conciliatory measures sat- 
isfactory to the Assembly and People — Paper money established 
in the Province — Expedition to reduce Canada and drive out 
the French — Troops promised from England — The French Gov- 
ernor capitulates — Expedition against Port Royal, in Arcadia 
— Major Sanford expelled from the House for sig7iing a false 
statement to the Queen. 

ON the 5tli of May, 1708, the assembly met at Burlington. 
Samuel Jennings, the speaker, being ill at the time, 
Thomas Gordon was appointed to succeed him. 

They received the speech of the governor, and on the 12th 
delivered the address of the assembly, which contained the old 
story of grievances. 

This so displeased the governor that he immediately adjourned 
them to the following September, to meet at Amboy, but in the 
interval dissolved them, but being himself so soon after super- 
ceded, he met them no more. 

The business of the last session began by his telling them in 
his speech, that it was his great desire to see the service of 
the Queen and the good of the province carried on, supported 
and provided for, that induced him to call them together, to 
prepare and pass such laws as were proper, and that he might 
not be wanting in his duty, he should point out what he thought 
required their immediate attention. 

The first was a bill for the support of government, that the 
revenue the Queen expected was fifteen hundred pounds per 
annum, to continue twenty-one years. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 189 

Next the reviving or re-enacting the militia bill, which 
would soon expire. 

That he had every session since he had been governor, recom- 
mended the passing of a bill or bills for confirming the right 
and property of the soil of the province to the general proprie- 
tors, according to their repective rights and titles, as also to 
settle and confirm the particular titles and estates of all the 
inhabitants of the province, and others claiming under the 
proprietors. That he was still of opinion, such a bill would 
best conduce to the improvment, as well as peace and quiet of 
the province. That he had last year recommended the passing 
of bills for erecting and repairing prisons and court-houses in 
the different counties ; the building of bridges in places where 
they were wanting, by general tax ; and as late experience had 
taught the necessity of settling the qualifications of jurymen, he 
desired they would prepare bills for these purposes, and revive 
such of the acts of assembly, passed in the time of the proprie- 
tary government, as would be of use, that they might be 
presented for the Queen's approbation. 

On this occasion the assembly, in their address, declare that 
they were and always had been, ready and desirous to support 
the government to the utmost of their poor abilities ; that they 
were heartily sorry for the misunderstanding between the gover- 
nor and them ; that about twelve months ago they had humbly 
represented to him some of the many grievances their country 
labored under, most of which, they were sorry to say, yet re- 
mained and daily increased ; that they found the Queen's good 
subjects of the province were continually prosecuted by informa- 
tions upon frivolous pretences, which rendered that excellent 
constitution of grand juries useless, and if continued would put 
it in the power of an attorney-general to raise his future upon the 
ruin of his country ; that they found it a great charge to the 
country, that juries and evidences were brought from remote 
parts of the province to the supreme courts at Burlington and 
Amboy. 

That it was a great grievance that the practice of the law was 
so precarious thac innocent persons were prosecuted upon infor- 
mations and actions brought against several of the Queen's 



I90 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

subjects, in which the gentlemen licensed to practice the law 
were afraid to appear for them, or if they appeared, did not 
discharge their duty to their clients for fear of being suspended, 
without being convicted of any crime deserving it or reason 
assigned, as was done at Burlington in May last, to the damage 
of many of the Queen's good subjects. 

That they found the representatives of this Her Majesty's 
province so slighted and their commands so little regarded, that 
the clerk of the crown had refused to issue a writ for the electing 
a member wanting in the house. They hoped he would consider 
and remove these and many other inconveniences and grievances 
that the province labored under, which would enable them to 
exert the utmost of their abilities in supporting Her Majesty's 
government, and would make them happy under the mild and 
meek administration of a great and glorious queen. 

That they doubted not, were her Majesty rightly informed of 
the poverty and circumstances of their country and that their 
livelihoods depended upon the seasons of the year, their most 
gracious sovereign would pity their condition, and never expect 
the settlement of any support of government further than from 
one year to another ; that they found the present militia bill so 
great a grievance to their country, they could never think of 
reviving or re-enacting it as it now was, though they were heartily 
willing to provide for the defence of their country, which they 
hoped might be done with greater ease to the people ; that they 
had been and still were endeavoring to answer Her Majesty's 
commands, in confirming the right and property of the soil of 
the province to the general proprietors according to their res- 
pective rights and titles, and likewise to confirm and settle the 
particular titles and estates of all the inhabitants, and other 
purchasers claiming under the proprietors, but though they had 
several times met in general assembly, they had not opportunity 
to perfect it. 

They acknowledge the favor of being put in mind of provid- 
ing prisons, court-houses, and bridges, where such are wanting, 
which they should take into consideration ; that they had a bill 
for settling the qualifications of juries, prepared last sitting at 
Amboy, and should now present it, and thanking him for re- 



n 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 191 

minding them of reviving tlieir former laws say, they had before 
appointed a committee for tliat end, but were impeded by Basse, 
the secretary, positively '-^fusing to let them have the perusal of 
them ; and that as they had always used their utmost endeavor 
in the faithful service of the Queen, and for the benefit of the 
country, so they should still continue to do it with all the 
despatch they were capable of. 

We now part with Lord Cornbury's administration ;* at the 
same time also we part with Samuel Jennings, but not with 
the same feelings that we part with Cornbury, for his whole 
energies were devoted to the interests of the people, and was 
highly esteemed both in his private life and as a legislator. 

His indisposition continued for about twelve months, when he 
died regretted and lamented, for his many social virtues endeared 
him to the hearts of the people, and he could upon all occasions 

* Al a council held at Amboy, March 28th, 1708, the petition of Edward 
Viscount Cornbuiy, late governor of this province, setting forth that he had 
due to him sundry sums of money, for which he desired warrants to enable 
him, if the revenue of this province was not able to pay the same, he might 
demand it of Her Majesty, was read and dismissed. 

" Lord Cornbury (says a writer, well informed as to his character,) was no 
less obnoxious to the people of New Jersey than those of New York. The 
assembly of that province, impatient of his tyranny, drew up a complaint 
against him, which they sent home to the Queen. Her Majesty graciously 
listened to the cries of her injured subjects, divested him of his power, and 
appointed Lord Lovelace in his stead, declaring that she would not counte- 
nance her nearest relations in oppressing her people. 

'' As soon as my lord was superseded, his creditors threw him into the cus- 
tody of the sheriff of New York, and he remained there till the death of his 
father, when succeeding to the Earldom of Clarendon, he returned to England. 

" We never had a governor so universally detested, nor any who so richly 
deserved the public abhorrence. In spite of his noble descent, his behavior 
was trifling, mean and extravagant. 

" It was not uncommon for him to dress himself in a woman's habit, and 
then to patrol the fort in which he resided (Fort Ann, in New York). Such 
freaks of low humor exposed him to the universal contempt of the people, but 
their indignation was kindled by his despotic rule, savage bigotry, insatiable 
avarice and injustice, not only to the public but even his private creditors, for 
he left some of the lowest tradesmen in his employment unsatisfied in their just 
demands." He died in 1723. (Plistory of New York, page 1 16.) 



192 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

be fully relied on. His many services have occasioned him to 
be often mentioned. His religion was that of the Quakers, and 
he was early in life an approved minister among them, and so 
continued until his death. Common opinion, apt to limit this 
sphere of action, will however, allow general ru es to have their 
exceptions, as instances now and then, though perhaps but 
rarely, occur, where variety of talents have united in the same 
individual, and yet not interfered. Such, the accounts of these 
times (stripped of the local uncertainties of faction and party) 
tell us was the circumstance with regard to Jennings. That his 
authority, founded on experienced candor, probity, and abilities, 
enlarged opportunities rendered him not in one capacity or to 
one society only, but generally useful. It is mentioned that he 
was of an obliging, affectionate disposition, yet of a hasty, warm 
temper, and that he notwithstanding managed it with circum- 
spection and prudence, so that few occasions escaped to the 
disadvantage of his character, or of any cause he engaged in. 

That he saw the danger to which his natural impetuosity 
exposed him ; knew his preservation lay in a close attention to 
his cooler prospects, and diligently guarding in that spot, expe- 
rienced the benefit in many trying events ; that his integrity and 
fortitude in all stations were acknowledged ; that his judgment 
was the rule of his conduct, and this seems to have been but 
seldom injudiciously founded ; that alive to the more generous 
emotions of a mind formed to benevolence and acts of humanity, 
he was a friend to the widow, the fatherless, and the unhappy. 
Tender, compassionate, disinterested, and with great opportuni- 
ties, he left but a small estate ; that abhoring oppression in every 
shape, his whole conduct discovered a will to relieve and befriend 
mankind, far above the littleness of party or sinister views ; that 
his sentiments of right and liberty were formed on the revolution 
establishment, a plan successfully adapted to the improvement of 
a new country, or any country; that he was notwithstanding all 
this sometimes thought stiff and impracticable, but chiefly on 
account of his political attachments, yet that there were instances 
where better knowledge of his principles and the sincerity with 
which he acted, totally effaced those impressions, and left him 
friends where none were expected. Much of his time was long 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 193 

devoted to the public, with a will to be useful, and for which 
ample occasion during those times offered. West Jersey and 
Pennsylrania* and New Jersey, after the surrender, in all about 
twenty-eight years successively, were repeated witnesses of his 
sterling conduct in the different positions he held. His constant 
aim was to study the peace and welfare of mankind, though 
like many other honest men, he found those who opposed him, 
and in some instances even met with ungrateful returns for the 
good he accomplished, and though his endeavors did not always 
succeed to his mind, he yet survived personal accusations in a 
great measure, with respect to himself, and the good will of those 
who approved his course, and as it regarded the public generally, 
he lived long enough to see it emerging from an unpromising 
state of litigation and controversy to greater quiet than had been 
known for many years. 

He left three children (daughters), these intermarried with 
three brothers of the name of Stevenson, whose descendants 
still reside in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

In the latter end of 1708, a new assembly was chosen. 

The names of the members were Thomas Gordon, Thomas 
Farmer, Elisha Parker, John Royse, John Harrison, Benjamin 
Lyon, Gershom Mott, Elisha Lawrence, John Trent, William 
Morris, Enoch Machelsen, and Mr. Eldridge, for the western 
division ; Thomas Gardiner, Thomas Raper, Hugh Sharp, 
Nathaniel Cripps, John Kay, John Kaign, Richard Johnson, 
Nathaniel Breading, Hugh Middleton, and John Lewis, for 
the eastern. 

This assembly met and chose Thomas Gordon speaker, but 
was dissolved upon the new governor's arrival. 

John Lord Lovelace, baron of Hurley, having, as before 
stated, been appointed to succeed Lord Cornbury, summoned 
the council to meet him at Bergen, December 20th, 1708, pub- 
lished his commission, and met a new assembly in the spring, at 
Perth Amboy, and informed them : 

" That he was very sensible of great difficulties attending the 

* He lived some years in Pennsylvania, and held several important offices 
in that province. 

N 



194 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

honorable employment in which Her Majesty had placed him, 
and he hoped they would never fail to assist him to serve the 
Queen and her people. 

" That Her Majesty had shown, in the whole course of her 
reign, (a reign glorious beyond example), how much she aimed 
at the good and prosperity of her people, having with indefati- 
gable pains, united her two kingdoms of England and Scotland, 
and continued the same application to unite the minds of all 
her subjects. That this was her great care, and ought to be the 
care of those whom she deputed to govern the distant provinces 
not happy enough by situation to be under her more immediate 
government. That, as he could not set before them a better 
pattern, he should endeavor to recommend himself to them, by 
following, as far as he was able, her example. That he should 
not give them any just cause of uneasiness, under his adminis- 
tration, and hoped they would bear with one another. 

*' That past differences and animosities ought to be buried in 
oblivion, and the peace and welfare of the country only pursued 
by each individual. That Her Majesty would not be burthen- 
some to her people, but there being an absolute necessity that 
the government be supported, he was directed to recommend 
that matter to their consideration. That they knew best what 
the province could conveniently raise for its support, and the 
easiest methods of raising it. That the making a law for put- 
ting the militia on a better footing than it at present stood, 
with as much ease to the people as possible, required their 
consideration. 

'' That he should always be ready to give his assent to what- 
ever laws they found necessary for promoting religion and 
virtue, for the encouragement of trade and industry, and dis- 
couragement of vice and profaneness, and for any other matter 
or thing relating to the good of the province." 

The assembly issued an address, in which they told the gov- 
ernor, that they esteemed it their great happiness, that Her 
Majesty had placed a person of so much temper and moderation 
over them, and made no question he would surmount every 
difficulty with honor and safety. 

" That Her Majesty's reign would make a bright leaf in history. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 195 

That it was the advantage of the present, and would be the ad- 
miration of future ages, not more for her success abroad than 
prudence at home. 

"That though their distance had, and might sometimes be 
disadvantageous to them, yet they experienced the effect of her 
princely care, in putting an end to the worst administration New 
Jersey ever knew, by sending him, whose government would 
always be easy to Her Majesty's subjects here, and satisfactory 
to himself, whilst he followed so great and good an example. 

" That they had no animosities with one another, but firmly 
agreed to do themselves and their country justice. That they 
were persuaded none that deserved public censure, would have a 
share in his esteem, and doubted not of meeting with his hearty 
concurrence in every measure that conduced to peace and good 
order. 

" That they should support the government to the utmost of 
their abilities, and most willingly so at a time when they were 
freed from bondage and arbitrary encroachments, and were con- 
vinced that vice and immorality would no more receive the 
public countenance and approbation." 

They assured him all his reasonable desires would be com- 
mands to them, and promised it should be their study to make 
his administration as easy and happy as they could. 

This session of the assembly lasted a month, in which business 
'went on with unusual smoothness. The assembly obtained from 
the governor a copy of the address from the lieutenant governor 
and council to the Queen, in 1707. 

They returned him their thanks for the favor, and requested 
he would desire the lieutenant governor, and all that signed the 
address, to attend him at such time as he thought fit to appoint, 
to prove their allegation, and that the house might have leave to 
be present, and have opportunity of making their defence, in 
order to clear themselves from such imputations. 

The governor showed a ready inclination to grant this request, 
and appointed a day for a hearing, but, by the artifices of those 
concerned, it was evaded from time to time. We are not aware 
whether they at last gained their point or not. 

Most of the inhabitants of New Jersey, now pleased them- 



196 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

selves with the prospect of happy times. AVith a change of 
governors followed a change of measures and favorites. 

Impartiality and candor succeeded trickery and design. The 
tools of the former administration having nothing but the pro- 
tection of that to support them, sunk into oblivion. 

It was Cornbury's weakness to encourage men that would 
flatter his vanity, and give in to his humors and measures. 
Such were sure of his favors, but with Lovelace, the case was 
different. 

Such of the former favorites as yet continued in the council, 
were not looked upon with that esteem that the other members 
were, even the confidence which had been usually put in that 
board, on passing the support bill, was discontinued. 

The assembly declared to Lovelace, that though they had 
entire confidence in his justice and prudence, respecting the 
disposition of the money for the support of government, they 
had not the confidence in the gentlemen that were now of 
Her Majesty's council, and that this was the reason they had 
altered the former method, and requested that he would favor- 
ably represent it to the Queen in their behalf. 

The difference of these administrations will appear in a short 
comparison. 

Cornbury, on the subject of support, makes use of the follow- 
ing expressions : 

" That I may not be wanting in my duty, in the station the 
Queen has been pleased to honor me with, I shall put you in 
mind of those things which I think ought to be immediately 
provided for ; the first of which is providing a revenue for the 
support of "government. The revenue which the Queen expects 
is fifteen hundred pounds a year, for twenty-one years." 

Lord Lovelace, ten months afterwards, upon the same occa- 
sion, speaks as follows : 

" Her Majesty would not be burthensome to her people, but 
there being an absolute necessity that the government be sup- 
ported, I am desired to recommend that matter to your consid- 
eration. You know best what the province can conveniently 
raise for its support, and the easiest method of raising it." 

By this difference in the men administering the government, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 197 

it may be easily seen that the inhabitants had some reason to 
promise themselves more happy times than they had experienced 
heretofore, especially under the administration of Cornbury ; 
but just as things were getting into a good shape, and likely to 
prove advantageous to the colonists, and to their very great disap- 
pointment. Lord Lovelace was suddenly taken away from them 
by death, for he died within a few days afterwards, and the 
administration devolved upon the lieutenant governor, Ingolsby, 
who laid before the assembly the design of the crown respecting 
an expedition against Canada, under Colonels Nicholson and 
Vetch. 

The assembly immediately voted three thousand pounds for 
this service, by an emission of paper bills of credit, but did not 
at this time pass the bills. 

The lieutenant governor adjourned them for a few weeks, and 
then told them he had given them another opportunity of doing 
their duty to Her Majesty, and what their country required at 
their hands. 

That he found in their votes at the last sitting, a resolution 
for raising three thousand pounds for Her Majesty's service. 
That this had now become a debt, and they had only to consider 
the ways and means of raising it, and that a proper application 
was made for the paying of their quota of men appointed for 
reducing Canada. 

The assembly prepared three bills : one for raising three 
thousand pounds, another for enforcing its currency,* and a 

* Here began the paper currency in New Jersey. The care of the legisla- 
ture respecting it, in this as well as all the succeeding emissions, being to render 
the funds for sinking, according to the acts that created it secure, and to pre- 
vent the currency failing in value, by changing the bills as they became ragged 
and torn, and allowing no re-emissions on any account whatsoever, it has 
from the beginning preserved its credit, and proved of great service to the 
proprietors in the sale of their lands, and to the settlers, in enabling them to 
purchase and contract, and pay English debts, and go on with their improve- 
ments. The securities, when issued on loan, were double the value in lands, 
and treble in houses, and five per cent, interest. 

The funds for sinking, by tax, the money created for the expedition and 
other purposes, were mortgages (secured in the acts that made the respective 
emissions,) on the estates, real and personal, in the province. 

Hence they were secured as firmly as the province itself. They were a 



198 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

tnird for the encouragement of volunteers going on the Canada 
expedition. These bills having received the governor's assent, 
the house was adjourned to November ist, to meet at Burlington. 

They accordingly met pursuant to their adjournment, but 
deferred business until December, at which time they sat ten 
weeks, and passed eighteen bills. They were then adjourned, 
and afterwards prorogued from time to time, until they were 
dissolved by Governor Hunter, in 1710. 

For a few months before Governor Hunter's arrival, William 
Pinhorne, as president of the council, exercised the office of 
commander-in-chief. 

In the latter part of the year 1708, Colonel Vetch first 
applied to the court of Great Britain, for sea and land forces, 
to reduce Canada. 

He, with Colonel Nicholson, obtained a small force from 
England, with instructions from the several governors on the 
continent to give them what assistance they could. They had a 
promise of a fleet of ships of war to follow them in due time. 
They came over in the beginning of the summer of 1709,* and 

legal tender to all the inhabitants, in the province and elsewhere, but not to 
others, except while in the province. The remittances of this province to 
England, being chiefly from New York and Philadelphia, and these bills not 
being legal tenders there, they could not operate to the prejudice of English 
debts, let exchange be what it may, because none were obliged to take them. 
This was a particularity only belonging to the state of trade of New Jersey, 
and rendered a paper currency here, free from the objections usually made 
against it in England. 

*■ Colonels Nicholson and Vetch both appearing at a council held at Amboy, 
May 30th, 1709, it was concluded that George Riscarricks should be forthwith 
sent to Weequehala, the Indian Sachem, to acquaint him that the lieutenant- 
governor, Ingolsby, expected his attendance on tliat board forthwith, and tliat 
Captain Aarent Schuyler should forthwith send for Macotuinst, Cohcowickick, 
Ohtoffolonoppe, Meskakow, and Teetee, Sachems of the Minisinks and Shaw- 
hona Indians, who, appearing soon afterwards, joined in the undertaking, and 
Ingolsby, governor of New Jersey, G. Saltonstall, governor of Connecticut, 
and G. Gookin, governor of Pennsylvania, jointly commissioned Colonel Peter 
Schuyler, on the 23d of May, 1709, to be over these and the other Indians on 
this expedition, and soon afterwards the three governors joined in a petition 
to Nicholson, that he would take upon him the chief command of the expedi- 
tion, after which he bore the name of General Nicholson. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 199 

brought with them full instructions from the Queen in reference 
to the expedition, directed to Colonel Vetch. These instructions 
were signed by the Queen at the Court of St. James, the 2Sth of 
February, 1708-9. 

New York was to furnish eight hundred men, New Jersey two 
hundred, Connecticut three hundred and fifty, and Pennsylvania 
one hundred and fifty, making fifteen hundred in all. 

Colonels Nicholson and Vetch brought over with them four 
regular companies from England. 

The provincial troops were formed into four battalions, with 
each of which was attached one company of regulars. 

All things were to be in readiness by the middle of May, the 
arms and ammunition were furnished from the magazine at New 
York. Three months provisions were furnished them. A large 
storehouse was built to contain the provisions, and six large 
boats to carry sixty men each for the transportation of the 
heavier stores by water, and a contract was made with the Five 
Nations of Indians to make with all speed as many canoes as 
would be wanted for the expedition. They also engaged the Five 
Nations, as well as the Indians on the river, to join the expedi- 
tion, and inducements were held out to all who were willing to 
go as volunteers. 

The governors of New England and Rhode Island were 
required to raise at least twelve hundred of their best men, and 
to give encouragement to such as were willing to go as volun- 
teers, and to furnish transports, with three months provisions, 
and able pilots. Captain Southwick* volunteered with his own 
galley.f 

They were to contract with ship carpenters to build ten or 
more large flat bottomed boats, to carry sixty men each, for the 
landing of troops, and also to contract with proper persons for 
furnishing eight months provision to the troops that were to be 
left at Quebec or Montreal. 

As an inducement to furnish the quota of men required for 

* He was master of the province galley, belonging to the Massachusetts 
government. 

f A light open boat, used by custom house officers, as well as for pleasure. 



200 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the expedition, they were to assure the different governments 
that such as contributed towards the reduction of Canada should 
have a preference both with regard to the soil and trade of the 
country when reduced, to any other of the subjects of jthe Queen, 
and she would on her part sanction the same, when the country 
should be reduced. 

Colonel Francis Nicholson offered himself as a volunteer on 
this expedition, and having in due time arrived in the country 
and went to work raising the necessary forces on this continent, 
but in consequence of a difference of opinion having arisen in 
the ministry at home, the ships of war in accordance with their 
expectation did not arrive. 

They waited without doing anything until winter, when 
Nicholson returned to England to solicit further assistance, and 
to send forward what had been proposed. 

To do this with more probability of success, they prevailed 
upon four Indian Sachems of the Five Nations to accompany 
him to England, to assist in getting up the expedition.* With 

* Indians in England were at that time a strange sight. These Sachems 
also met with great consideration on account of the faithfulness and impor- 
tance of the nation they belonged to, and accordingly were much taken notice 
of. The English court was at this time in mourning for the death of George, 
Prince of Denmark; the Queen therefore had under garments of black cloth 
made for them, and covered with a scarlet mantle edged with gold. They 
were carried to court in coaches, and introduced in form to the Queen. One 
of them made a speech, setting forth that they doubted not the Queen was 
acquainted with their long and tedious war against the French, in conjunction 
with her children (subjects) ; that they had been a strong wall for the security 
of these, even to the loss of their best men, as Quider and Anadagarjaux 
(Schuyler and Nicholson) could testify ; that they were glad an expedition to 
Canada had been undertaken, and had assisted in the preparations on the lake, 
whilst Anadiasia (Vetch) at the same time was raising an army at Boston ;. 
that as some important affair had prevented the expected fleet, and rendered 
the design for that season abortive, they were left much exposed, and if the 
Queen was not still mindful of them, they, with their families, must forsake 
the country and seek other habitations, or stand neuter, either of which would 
be much against their inclinations. They concluded by presenting some belts 
of wampum. 

After this they were magnificiently enteuained by several of the nobility, 
and were once oresent at the review of the guards at Hyde Park, with the 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 201 

these went over Colonel Schuyler, They sailed early in the year, 
had several conferences with the lords of trade, and with 
Nicholson and the forces he brought. They returned in the 
summer, arriving at Boston. 

According to the instructions to the governments on the con- 
tinent for getting their assistance in readiness, a considerable 
armament was raised, and set out from Boston on the iSth 
of September. The fleet consisted of the Dragon, Falmouih, 
Leostaff and Feversham, men of war ; the Star, Bomb, and the 
Massachusetts province galley,* with transports, in all thirty-six 
sai'. The forces on board were one regiment of marines from 
England, two regiments from Massachusetts Bay, one regiment 
from Connecticut, and one from New Hampshire and Rhode 
Island, commissioned by the Queen, armed and provisioned in 
part by her gift, and part by the several colonies, toward which 
New Jersey contributed three thousand pounds. They arrived 
at Port Royal, now Annapolis,f in six days from Boston. 

After some small cannonading and bombarding, the French 
governor, Lubercasse, capitulated on the 5th of October, when 
the fort was given up, and Colonel Vetch, according to instruc- 
tions, became governor. 

The terras of capitulation were, that all the French, numbering 
four hundred and eighty-one persons, within three miles of the 
fort, should be under the protection of Great Britain, upon 



Duke of Ormand at their head. To him they made a speech, and presented 
him with three skins, to enforce a request that he would forward their business 
with the Queen. 

On their return, at Southampton, Admiral Aylmcr, who commanded a fleet 
there, sent his yacht to bring them on board. They dined with him, and then 
set sail for America. 

* A low, flat built vessel with one deck, and navigated with sails and oars, 
formerly used in the Mediterranean. It was long and narrow, and carried two 
masts with lateen (triangular) sails. The largest sort was i66 feet in length, 
and had 52 oars. 

f It was afterwards called Annapolis Royal, but now simply Annapolis, and 
is a fortified seaport town of Nova Scotia, at the mouth of the Annapolis 
river, in a fine inlet of the Bay of Fundy, 95 miles west of Halifax. The 
town was founded in the time of Queen Anne, and was called Annapolis, or 
"City of Anne." 



20 2 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

their taking the oath of allegiance. The other French settlers 
were left to their own discretion. In case the French made in- 
cursions upon the frontiers of New England, the British should 
make reprisals upon the Fi-ench in Nova Scotia, by making some 
of the chief of their inhabitants slaves to their Indians. 

Notwithstanding this, the French of L' Acadia soon after 
committed hostilities, though the Port Royal and Cape Sable 
Indians desired terms of amity and alliance might be settled 
with them, which was accordingly done. 

On the i4<-h of October, the men of war and transports sailed 
again for Boston, leaving a garrison in Port Royal of two hun- 
dred marines, and two hundred and fifty of the new raised 
volunteers from the continent. These were the next year 
relieved by four hundred of the troops destined for Canada. 

Nova Scotia had continued with the French from the year 
1662 (except the momentary reduction and possession of it by 
Sir William Phipps, in 1690,) until now. This acquisition was 
afterwards confirmed to Great Britain by the treaty of Utrecht. 

The design respecting Canada was for this year laid aside. 
Governor Hunter received a letter from the Earl of Dartmouth, 
secretary of state, upon the subject of encouraging an attempt 
upon Port Royal, which the Queen was obliged at present to 
abandon, by reason of the contrary winds which happened at 
the time the fleet was about to set sail, as well as other important 
matters which intervened. She had however, this year caused 
all necessary preparations to be made for the expedition. He 
wrote that the Queen, out of her tender care for the good and 
prosperity of her people in these colonies, intends to pursue her 
design as soon as the state of her affairs will permit it, being 
sensible of the great advantages which may be thence expected. 

Brigadier Hunter arrived, as governor, in the summer of 1710, 
and called a new assembly to meet the 6th of December. They 
chose John Kay, of Gloucester, speaker. They received the 
governor's speech, which breathed the true spirit, and as it 
differs so materially with the address of Cornbury, given two 
years before, and being brief, we give it entire, and in his own 
words, as follows : 

" Gentlemen : — I am little used to make speeches, so you 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 203 

hall not be troubled with a long one. If honesty is the best 
policy, plainness must be the best oratory. So, to deal plainly 
with you, so long as these unchristian divisions, which Her 
Majesty has thought to deserve her repeated notice, reign 
amongst you, I shall have small hopes of a happy issue to our 
meeting. 

''This is an evil which everybody claims of, but few take the 
right method to remedy it. Let every man begin at home, and 
weed the rancor out of his own mind, and the work is done at 
once. 

" Leave disputes of property to the laws, and injuries to the 
avenger of them, and like good subjects and good Christians, 
join hearts and hands for the common good. 

" I hope you all agree in the necessity of supporting the gov- 
ernment, and will not differ about the means. That it may the 
better deserve your support, I will endeavor to square it by the 
best rule that I know, that is the power from whence 'tis derived, 
which all the world must own to be justice and goodness itself. 

"There are several matters recommended to you by Her 
Majesty, to be passed into laws, which I shall lay before you at 
proper seasons, and shall heartily concur with you in enacting 
whatsoever may be requisite for the public peace and welfare, 
the curbing of vice, and encouraging of virtue. 

" If what I have said, or what I can do, may have the blessed 
effect I wish for, I shall bless the hour that brought me hither. 
If I am disappointed, I shall pray for that which is to call me 
back, for all power except that of doing good is but a burthen." 

The address of the assembly, also being brief, we here insert it, 
as follows : 

" May it please Your Excelle?iey : 

"We sincerely congratulate your accession to the government 
of this province, and hope the long wished for time has come, 
in which the unchristian causes of our divisions will be taken 
away, which we persuade ourselves you will be as willing, as we 
conceive you are able to do, by divesting a few designing men 
of that authority, which they use to the worst purjioscs. 

" We have experienced repeated instances of Her Majesty's 
care over us, among which one was, the sending the good Lord 



204 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Lovelace, who put an end to an administration the then assem- 
bly of this province, with great justice, the worst New Jersey 
had ever known. 

"That good man lived long enough to know how much the 
province had been oppressed, though not to remove the causes. 
Another instance of Her Majesty's royal favor, we esteem, is the 
sending Your Excellency to govern us, and we persuade our- 
selves, your conduct will evince it so to be. 

" We hope great things from you, and none but what are just. 
Let not ill men be put or continued in power to oppress. Let 
Her Majesty's subjects enjoy their liberties and properties, 
according to the laws, and let not those laws be warpt to gratify 
the avarice or resentment of any, and then we may safely leave 
disputes of property to them; this, we are humbly of opmion, is 
the greatest honesty, and we make no question you esteem it to 
be the best policy. 

*' We always thought it equally reasonable to support a gov- 
ernment, and to deny that support to tyranny and oppression. 
We should be glad our abilities would come up to what we 
esteem your merits. What we are able to do shall be sincerely 
done, and in as agreeable manner as we are capable. All your 
desires, which we doubt not will be reasonable, shall be com- 
mands to us, who will be always ready to join in any thing 
that may conduce to the public benefit, and your own, and hope 
you may never want will and power to punish wickedness and 
vice, and encourage true religion and virtue, which if you do, 
we shall esteem you our deliverer, and posterity shall mention 
your name with honor." 

This address was concurred in by a number of the members 
who were Quakers, as to the substance of it, but they took 
exceptions to the style. 

This session continued more than two months. 

The governor and assembly agreed with ^reat cordiality, but 
a majority of the council differed from both, although it was 
composed almost entirely of new members. 

Ever since the surrender, the province had been involved in 
great confusion, on account of the people called Quakers being 
denied to serve on juries, under pretence that an oath was abso- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 205 

lutely necessary. The inhabitants in many parts were chiefly of 
that persuasion, and juries could not be got without them. The 
assembly, seeing the confusion that had and would unavoidably 
follow such refusal, passed a bill for ascertaining the qualifica- 
tions of jurors, and enabling the people called Quakers to serve 
on them, &c., and another respecting the affirmation. 

The house was anxious to pass a bill to meet the case, but 
were always opposed by objections from the council, who refused 
even to submit the matters to a committee. 

The assembly also passed a militia act to relieve the Quakers 
from militia fines, which the council also rejected. 

They also took into consideration the charges made to the 
Queen against a former assembly in Lord Cornbury's time, by 
lieutenant governor Ingolsby, and eight of the councilmen who 
sustained the governor in his unwarranted acts in the year 1707. 

The address having been read, the question was put whether 
the said humble address (as it was called) be a false and scandal- 
ous misrepresentation of the representative body of this province 
or not ? When it was decided in the affirmative. 

The house then resolved to address Her Majesty in justifica- 
tion of the proceedings of the representative body of this 
province, in the present and former assemblies. 

It was also resolved in the affirmative that no person who had 
signed the above-mentioned false and scandalous representation 
of the representative body of this province, was a fit member to 
sit in this house, unless he acknowledged his fault to the house. 

Major William Sandford, one of the members of the house at 
this time, having acknowledged that he signed the above- 
mentioned address to Her Majesty, was asked if he would 
acknowledge his fault to this house for the same. His answer 
was, he signed it, as he was one of Her Majesty's council, and 
was only accountable to Her Majesty for the same. Wliereupon 
the question was put whether Major Sandford be expelled this 
house for the same or not, and it was resolved in the affirmative. 
Whereupon it was ordered that Major Sandford be expelled this 
house for signing a false and scandalous paper called, the hum- 
ble address of the lieutenant governor and council to Her Majesty, 
in the year 1707, and he is expelled this house accordingly. 



2o6 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Pursuant to the resolutions of the house, an address was pre- 
pared and sent to the Queen, and a representation to Governor 
Hunter. This last was a particular answer to the charges. 

In this they extolled Governor Lovelace, and stated that had 
he have lived they would not have been under the necessity of 
laying their representation before His Excellency. 

They also state that they were sorry to have so much reason 
to say, that it was lately their misfortune to be governed by Lord 
Corn bury, who treated Her Majesty's subjects here not as free- 
men who were to be governed by laws, but as slaves, of whose 
persons and estates he had the sole power of disposing. Oppres- 
sion and injustice reigned everywhere in this poor, and then 
miserable, colony, and it was criminal to complain or seem 
any way sensible of the hardships they then suffered, and what- 
ever attempts were made for their relief not only proved ineffec- 
tual, but was termed insolence, and was flying in the face of 
authority. 

Bribery, extortion, and a contempt of laws, both human and 
divine, were the fashionable vices of that time, encouraged by 
his countenance, but more by his example, and those who could 
most daringly and with most dexterity trample upon their 
liberties, had the greatest share both in the government of this 
province and his favor. 

This usage they bore with patience a great while, believing 
that the measures he took proceeded rather from want of infor- 
mation or an erroneous judgment, than the depravity of his 
nature. But repeated instances soon convinced them of their 
mistaken notions. 

His treatment to the Quakers in reference to compelling them 
to enroll in the militia or pay militia fines, was severely con- 
demned. 

That the rights of the general proprietors were invaded in a 
very high degree, their papers and registers being the evidence, 
they had to prove their titles to their lands and rents, were 
violently and arbitrarily forced from them, and they were inhib- 
ited from selling or disposing of their lands. 

After eulogizing the administration of Governor Lovelace, the 
review of the address of the lieutenant governor, Ingolsby and 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 207 

the eight councilmen that signed it, and taking the same up 
seriatim^ they fully answer every charge therein contained. 

The memorial was signed by order of the house of represen- 
tatives by William Bradford, their clerk, and dated February 
9th, 1 710. 

This representation was kindly received by the governor, and 
he returned answer, that Her Majesty had given him directions 
to endeavor to reconcile the differences that were in this 
province, but if he could not that he should make a just repre- 
sentation to her, and that he did not doubt but that upon the 
representation he should make, Her Majesty would take such 
measures as should give a general satisfaction. 

The governor accordingly backing the remonstrance to the 
Queen, all the councillors were removed that were pointed out 
by the assembly as the cause of their grievances, and their places 
were supplied by others. 

The business of this session having been concluded, the gov- 
ernor prorogued the house. 



CHAPTER X. 

1711 — 1776. 

Second expedition against Canada — Arrival of transports contain- 
ing troops from England — Passage of bill permittitig Quakers 
to affirm — Governor Hunter s administration satisfactory to the 
people — Accession of King George the First — Severe stortns — 
Acts for running the division line between New York afid New 
Jersey. 

GOVERNOR Hunter convened the assembly in the summer 
of 1 71 1, and the business was commenced by his telling 
them "that Her Majesty's instructions, which he was com- 
manded to communicate, would discover the reason of his call- 
ing them together at this time, and that he doubted not the 
matters therein contained, would be agreeable to them, and the 
success profitable. 

" That the fleet and forces destined for the reduction of Can- 
ada, were arrived in good health and condition, and would pro- 
ceed in a short time. That what was required on their parts, 
was the levying in each division one hundred and eighty effec- 
tive private men, beside officers, and to provide for the en- 
couragement, pay, and provisions, as well as transportation over 
the lakes, and other incidental charges attending the forces. 

The assembly at once resolved to encourage this expedition, 
by raising to the value of twelve thousand five ounces of plate, 
in bills of credit,* to be sunk, together with the former three 
thousand pounds, by a subsequent tax, and provided bills 



^ Equal to five thousand pounds currency at that time. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 209 

for raising volunteers to go on the expedition and for emitting 
the money. The governor passed the bills, and dismissed them 
with thanks for the cheerful dispatch they had given. 

This was the second expedition against Canada, and made 
quite a formidable appearance. 

Nicholson's designs having hitherto failed through various 
disappointments, he now, under the scheme of reducing all 
Canada, and thereby engrossing the cod fishery, so prevailed 
on the new ministry that the regiments of Kirk, Hill, Windress, 
Clayton, and Kaine, from Flanders, Seymour's, Disney's, and a 
battalion of marines from England, under command of Brigadier 
Hill, were sent to him on this occasion. 

They came in forty transports, under convoy of twelve ships 
of the line of battle, commanded by Admiral Walker, several 
frigates, and two bomb vessels. They brought a large train of 
artillery, under Colonel King, with forty horses and six store 
ships. They arrived at Boston early in the summer. 

By orders from home a congress was held at New London, 
consisting of all the plantation governors north of Pennsylvania, 
with Nicholson to arrange the details of the expedition. 

Two regiments from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New 
Hampshire, joined the British forces, while the militia of Con- 
necticut, New York, and New Jersey, with the Indians of the 
Five Nations, under Nicholson, marched by land from Albany 
to attack Montreal. 

The fleet having been retarded at Boston for want of provi- 
sions. Admiral Walker wrote to Governor Dudley at Boston : "I 
concur with the opinion of all the sea and land officers here that 
the government of this colony have prejudiced the present 
expedition instead of assisting it." 

The fleet, consisting of sixty-eight vessels and six thousand 
four hundred and sixty-three troops, anchored in the bay of 
Gaspee, on the south side of the entrance of the St. Lawrence 
river, to take in wood and water, on the iSth of August, and in 
the night of the 23d, contrary to the advice of the pilots, they 
weighed anchor in a fog that was then prevailing, fell in with the 
north shore, and lost eight transports and eight hundred and 
eighty- four men upon the island of Eggs. 

o 



2IO HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

A council of war was hda, and they resolved that by reason of 
the ignorance of the pilots it was impracticable to proceed, and 
that advice should be sent to Gen. Nicholson against proceeding 
to Montreal, which was done, and the fleet returned and anchored 
in Spanish river,* off Cape Breton, on the 4th of September, 
171 1, and there, in a council of war, it was resolved not to 
attempt anything against Placentia,f but to return to Great 
Britain. 

On the 1 6th of September they sailed for England, and arrived 
at St. Helens the i6th of October. The Edgar, with the 
admiral's papers, was blown up. This prevented the expedition 
from proceeding further, and it was therefore abandoned at a 
great expense of men and treasure, although having been agitated 
above three years. 

In 1 71 2, Thomas Gardiner, the second of that name, died. 
He was a resident of Burlington, and has been mentioned several 
times before. He was a man well acquainted with public busi- 
ness, a good surveyor, and useful member of society. He was 
several years a member of the council, treasurer of the western 
division, and the first speaker of assembly after the union of the 
governments of East and West Jersey. 

On the 7th of December, 1713, the governor called the as- 
sembly together, and the next day informed them that he was 
glad to see them after so long absence, and believed they were 
not sorry to meet him in so good company j| that the tender 
regard Her Majesty had to their quiet, in particular at a time 
when she had blessed the world with a general peace, called for 
their pious endeavors, and could not fail of meeting the returns 

* Spanish river flows along the base of the LaClocke Mountains, and empties 
into Lake Huron, nearly opposite the central part of the Great Manitoulin 
islands. 

-}■ Placentia, a seaport town of Newfoundland, on the west coast of the 
peninsula. 

J Meaning the change of councillors. William Pinhorne, Daniel Coxe, 
Peter Sonmans, and William Hall, who had signed the memorial to the Queen 
against the assembly had been suspended, and a mandamus had since arrived 
appointing John Anderson, Elisha Parker, Thomas Byerly, John Hamilton, 
and John Reading. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 211 

due from the most grateful people to the best and most indulgent 
princess. That he was persuaded the efforts of such as had been 
removed from places of trust by the Queen at their request, 
would be too impotent to destroy the peace, by breaking that 
mutual confidence or disturbing that harmony that then subsisted 
between the several branches of the legislature. That full of this 
confidence, he recommended to their immediate care the 
providing for past arrears and future support of Her Majesty's 
government, the discountenancing vice and immorality, the 
improvement of trade and encouragement for planting and 
peopling the province. That this could not be better effected 
than by a law to affirm and ascertain the respective properties of 
the proprietors and people, if they thought it practicable. 

That the gentlemen of the present council, having no views 
or interests differing from theirs, if they would agree to frequent 
and amicable conferences with them, or a number of them, upon 
all matters under deliberation, it would save much time and 
effectually disappoint all contrivances of their enemies, who, in 
return for their being at present no councillors, had ridiculously 
endeavored to persuade some that they were no assembly. 

The assembly replied, " That they were indeed glad to meet 
him in such good company, and as the persons who had hitherto 
obstructed the welfare of their country were removed, they 
presumed on the favor oftener than heretofore." They ac- 
knowledged themselves under the greatest obligations to the best 
of Queens, and hoped their actions would demonstrate they were 
not ungrateful. 

Among other bills passed at this session was that entitled, 
** An act that the solemn affirmation and declaration of the 
people called Quakers shall be accepted instead of an oath in the 
usual form, and for qualifying the said people to serve as jurors, 
and to execute any office or place of trust or profit within this 
province." 

The governor having communicated to the house the instruc- 
tions of the Queen on that subject, the bill was introduced. 

The second enacting clause was thought to be designedly left 
out by the secretary, who had it to engross. In this shape it 
passed council without being noticed by them, but on reading it 



212 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

again in the assembly the omission was discovered, and the 
secretary made his acknowledgment at the bar of the house, 
when it was again passed over. 

This act continued until 1732, and then was supplied by 
another similar to the one now in force. 

Other laws of importance were also passed, and the session 
was concluded to the mutual satisfaction of all. 

In his concluding remarks at the breaking up of the session, 
the governor said : " I thank you for what has been done this 
session for the support of this Her Majesty's government, and 
do not doubt but that you will receive ample thanks from those 
who sent you for the many good laws that have been passed. 

" Some things that in their nature were acts of favor, I have 
agreed that they should be made acts of assembly, that your 
share may be greater in the grateful acknowledgment of your 
country. 

"I hope my conduct has convinced the world (I cannot sup- 
pose you want any further conviction) that I have no other view 
than the peace and prosperity of this province. If such a few 
as are enemies to both are not to be reduced by reason, I shall 
take the next best and most effectual measure to do it." 

Between the years 1713 and 1716 we find no historical matters 
of interest occurring, as the government under Hunter was con- 
ducted with such moderation that nothing occurred to mar the 
peace of the province, but everything worked in the greatest 
harmony, and all were not only satisfied but pleased with the 
administration. The old grievances were amicably healed, and 
peace was restored. 

Governor Hunter met a new assembly at Amboy, in the spring 
of 1 716. This assembly chose Col. Daniel Coxe, speaker, who 
was presented and accepted, when the governor by speech, in- 
formed them that the dissolution of one assembly by the demise 
of the late Queen, of another by the arrival of a new patent from 
the present King, constituting him governor of the province, and 
of a third by reason of a circumstance well known, together with 
the long sessions at York, and his necessary attendance on the 
service of the frontiers, had been the occasion of putting off the 
meeting till now. That on his part he brought with him a firm 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 213 

purpose for the advantage of the subject and the service of the 
crown, which he says, " I have ever pursued, and now bid a fair 
defiance to the most malicious to assign one single instance in 
which I have acted counter to what I now profess, notwithstand- 
ing the false and groundless accusations and insinuations to the 
contrary, from two persons on the other side, who pretended to 
have been instructed from this, which, though they met with that 
contempt at home they deserved, I could not without injustice to 
myself, let pass unmentioned here." 

This was the session of the assembly, which should have met 
at Burlington, but they were convened at Amboy, they therefore 
determined to remonstrate against the infringement of the usual 
custom of alternately meeting at each of those places, and accord- 
ingly represented to the governor, that in the year 1709 an act 
was passed entitled, " An act for ascertaining the place of the 
sitting of the representatives to meet in general assembly," that 
in March, 1710, the aforesaid act was confirmed, finally enacted, 
and ratified by her late Majesty, with the advice of her privy 
council, and transmitted to him (the governor), by the lords 
commissioners for trade and plantations, the i6th of said month. 
That they were perfectly willing to pay all due regard and 
obedience to His Majesty's and the governor's commands, so 
they could not but think it their duty to maintain the known 
and established laws of this province. And as that law had the 
royal sanction, and had gone through all the usual forms both 
here and in Great Britain which were necessary to confirm and 
perpetuate it, they were of opinion it was still in force, never 
having been repealed. 

The governor replied, "That His Majesty's instructions, which 
were laws to him, having restored that affair to the just and equal 
footing upon which it was put by, and at the time of the surren- 
der of the government by the proprietors, he could not give his 
consent to any alteration, or give way to anything that might 
elude the intent and purpose of that instruction without giving 
juster grounds of complaint against him than he had hitherto 
given, and that he had reasons of great weight which made it 
impracticable for him to hold either council or assembly at Bur- 
lington at this time." 



214 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The dispute being principally founded on the new commission 
to the governor upon the accession of King George the First to 
the throne, the assembly thought proper to submit, and transact 
the business before them at the place where they were then con- 
vened. 

Matters however did not go on very smooth ; the speaker 
disliked the governor and influenced many of the members. 

The governor saw there was no prospect of their carrying out 
the design of their meeting at that time, and prorogued them. 
On the 14th of May he again summoned them, this time to 
meet at Amboy, only nine members appearing. They waited 
five days, and then presented an address requesting the governor 
to take such measures as he might think proper to cause the 
absent members to attend, whereupon he sent warrants to several 
of them commanding their attendance, as they would answer the 
contrary at their peril. In obedience to this summons four pre- 
sently appeared, there being now thirteen present. The governor 
sent for them, and recommended their meeting at the house and 
choosing a speaker, (for their speaker was absent among the 
rest) in order to enable them to send their sergeant-at-arms for 
those that were still absent. 

On the 2ist the thirteen met, and the speaker still being 
absent, they chose John Kinsey speaker. The house being now 
organized, the governor delivered his address, as follows : 

" Gentlemen : — The last time you were here upon a like 
occasion, I told you that I thought fit to approve of whatever 
choice you thought fit to make of a speaker. I now tell you 
that I heartily approve of the worthy choice you have made. 

" As the conduct of that gentleman who last filled the chair* 
sufficiently convinced you of a combination between him and his 
associates to defeat all the purposes of your present meeting, I 
hope, and cannot doubt, but it will open the eyes of all such as 
by his and their evil acts and sinistrous practices have been mis- 
led and imposed upon, so that for the future here they will not 
find it so easy a matter to disturb the peace of the country. 

" I must refer you to what I said at the opening of the assem- 
bly, but harvest drawing near I am afraid you'll hardly have time 

* Colonel Daniel Coxe. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 215 

for more business than what is absolutely and immediately 
requisite, that is the support of government and the public credit. 
" You know that the date of the currency of your bills of 
credit is near expiring, so there will be wanting a new law to 
remedy the evil that must attend the leaving the country without 
a currency for ordinary uses as well as trade. 

" Robert Hunter." 

The house then went into an examination of the conduct of 
their late speaker and the absent members, who, on the question, 
were at different times severally expelled for contempt of author- 
ity and neglect of the service of their country, and writs were 
issued for new elections.* 

On the 8th of the following month, and shortly after the 
exclusion of the speaker, but previous to the expulsion of the 
other members, the assembly presented the governor the fol- 
lowing address : 

** May it please Your Excellency : 

"Your administration has been of a continued series of justice 
and moderation, and from your past conduct we dare assure 
ourselves of a continuation of it, and we will not be wanting in 
our endeavors to make suitable returns, both in providing a 
handsome support of the government and of such a continuance 
as may demonstrate to you and the world the sense we have of 
our duty and your worth. 

" The gentleman, our late speaker, has added this one instance 
of folly to his past demeanor, to convince us and the world that 
in all stations, whether of a councillor, a private man, or a 
representative, his study has been to disturb the quiet and tran- 
quillity of this province, and act in contempt of laws and 
government. We are sensible of the effects it has had and may 
have on the public peace, and our expulsion of him we hope 

*The following were the names of the members expelled : — Bergen, Henry 
Brokholst, David Akerman ; Gloucester, Colonel Daniel Coxe (speaker), 
Richard Bull; Town of Salem, Henry Joyce; County of Salem, "William 
Hall, William Clews ; Cape May, Jacob Spicer, Jacob Huling. Spicer was 
by resolution declared to be incapable of sitting, the others were expelled and 
declared to be ineligible to be re-elected ; a rather summary way to impeach 
members. 



2i6 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

evinces that we are not the partisans of his heat and disaffection 
to the present government. We are very sorry he has been 
capable to influence so many into a combination with him, to 
make effectual his ill purposes. But we hope it is rather the 
effect of weakness than malice, and that their eyes are now so 
much opened that they'll return to their duty and join with us 
in providing for the public credit, and whatever else may make 
this province happy and Your Excellency easy." 

The assembly then resolved, " That the late members whom 
they had expelled should not sit as members of the house if they 
should be returned on a new election, during this session of the 
assembly." 

Notwithstanding this, several of the same members were re- 
turned, but were refused seats in the house, and the electors 
were obliged to choose others in their place. 

The governor then prorogued them till the 3d of October. 
In November the same house met at Crosswicks,* in consequence 
of the small-pox raging at Burlington. The governor opened 
the business of the session by telling them, "That the support 
of the government and public credit required their immediate 
attention ; that they knew the funds for the first had expired 
fifteen months ago, and that the other had suffered much by the 
obstinacy of some in refusing the payment of taxes, or remiss- 
ness in others in collecting or putting the laws in execution 
sufficient (if duly executed) to have answered the end, and in a 
great measure prevented or remedied that evil ; that he doubted 
not they were now met with a good disposition, as well as in full 
freedom, all clogs and bars being removed, to pursue to effect 
the good ends of their meeting, and to make good their engage- 
ments and promises in several of their addresses ; that the true 
interest of the people and government were the same, to wit : 
a government of laws, that no other deserved the name ; that 
this was never separated or separable but in imagination by men 
of craft, such as were either abettors of lawless power on the 
one hand, or confusion and anarchy on the other ; that 
the first was not the case of this province, and we had well 

*The true Indian name of this place is supposed to be Clossweeksung, 
meaning a separation. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 217 

grounded hopes that all endeavors towards the latter had 
ceased. 

This session continued a long while, more than two months, 
and was a very fruitful one, they having passed sixteen public 
and private bills, all of which received the governor's assent. 

Samuel Smith, one of the members of assembly for Burlington, 
died in the year 1718. He had sought happiness in the quiets 
of obscurity, and was against his own inclination called to the 
assembly, as well as other public stations, all of which he passed 
through with a clear reputation. In private life he was mild, 
inoffensive, benevolent, steady and respected.* 

This year was remarkable for an uncommon storm of hail. 
It fell larger than had been remembered ever before in the 
provinces, killing many wild pigeons and other birds, besides 
doing considerable damage, destroying dwellings and other pro- 
perty, as well as trees and vegetables. 

In the beginning of the summer of 1 742 another happened, 
with a strong gust of wind, accompanied with some rain and 
hail of very uncommon size. In one house it was said to have 
broken twenty-eight holes through the roof. The damage to the 
grain in some places was so great that the farmers refused to sell 
the stock of the previous year for fear they should be in want 
for bread. At Amwell a boy was said to have been killed, and 
others were very much injured. 

In the spring of 1758 still another happened. This came from 
the north, the hail in large stones continuing for eight or ten 
minutes, and abated gradually. In some places it drifted about 
six inches thick. It went in a vein of about a mile and a half 
broad. The destruction of green corn and gardens was very 
great, and the trees had their young leaves shattered to pieces. 

In the spring of 17 18 Governor Hunter again met the assem- 
bly at Perth Amboy, but at the desire of the members, on 
account of their private affairs interfering, he adjourned them to 



*He with five of his brothers, John, Daniel, Joseph, Emanuel, and Richard, 
and one sister, removed from near Bramham, in Yorkshire, at different times, 
but mostly in and about the year 1 691. Daniel served tlie public several years 
faithfully in the assembly, and died in 1742. Richard was for twelve years 
one of the council, and died the latter part of 1750. 



2i8 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the winter, when again meeting with them he made a speech, 
setting forth : 

"That the revenue nad some time since expired, and that 
when this came under consideration he desired an augmentation 
of the officers salaries. 

" That in former acts they were so scanty and so retrenched 
from what they had been, that the officers were not enabled to 
perform their respective duties. 

" That the assembly of New York had passed an act for run- 
ning the division line between this province, and that upon 
supposition another for the same purpose would be passed here ; 
that the justice due the proprietors and the disturbances among 
the people made such a law an immediate necessity ; that he had 
formerly recommended their providing for an agent at the court 
of Great Britain, and now repeated it, that the lords commis- 
sioners for trade had in several of their letters complained of the 
want of one, and that this was the only province in His 
Majesty's dominions that had none. 

" That by means of this omission, their business in England 
stood still ; that what could not be delayed without danger or 
loss to the public since his administration, had been negotiated 
by persons employed by him, at his own very great expense, 
which he hoped they would consider ; that as to projects of 
trade, he had no reason to change his opinion since they last 
met, that to this subject he referred them on what he then 
spoke.* 

The assembly said in their address, " That they were not 

* " As for the measures of advancing, or rather for giving, a being to trade 
amongst you, the generality of you has shown such aversion to solid ones, and 
others such a fondness for imaginary or ruinous ones, that vv^ithout a virtue and 
resolution of serving those you represent against their inclination, your endea- 
vors will be to little purpose. But if anything of that nature fall under 
deliberation, I cannot think of a better guide than a just inspection into the 
trade in other provinces where it is in a good and flourishing condition, the 
means by which it became so can be no mystery; where it is otherwise, or has 
decayed, you will find the true cause of such decay conspicuous. And it is 
but a rational conclusion that what has formed trade, or that on which it de' 
pends, credit in one place cannot but be the most proper means either to begia 
it or preserve it in another." 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 219 

insensible that the present circumstances of the government as 
well as of the country, made their meeting necessary, notwith- 
standing the rigor of the season ; that they were not unmindful 
that the revenue was expired, nor of their duty in a reasonable 
support-; that they were willing to pass an act for running the 
division line betwixt this province and New York, but conceived 
the expense of that affair belonged to the proprietors of the 
contested lands ; that they were very sensible an agent for the 
province at the Court of Great Britain was very necessary, but 
were sorry the circumstances of the province were such that they 
could not make a suitable provision for so useful an officer, and 
that they would readily come into any measures that might be 
effectual to promote the trade and prosperity of the province." 

This session passed eleven public and private bills, among 
which was the one for running and ascertaining the division line 
between New Jersey and New York, but this act was never put 
in execution further than fixing the north partition point. This 
was done by indenture made the 25th of July, 1719, between R. 
Walter, Isaac Hicks, and Allave Jarret, surveyor general, on the 
part of New York ; John Johnston, and George Willocks, on 
behalf of East Jersey; Joseph Kirkbride, and John Reading, on 
behalf of West Jersey ; and James Alexander, surveyor general, 
on behalf of both East and West Jersey. These commissioners 
and surveyors, duly authorized, met at the place appointed, and 
after many observations of the latitude, unanimously by deed 
fixed the north partition point on the northwest branch of the 
Delaware, which they found to be that branch called the Fish Kill. 

After this had been done, the West Jersey commissioners 
thought there was nothing further for them to do ; the others 
though greatly interested in having it settled, left it an uncer- 
tainty until 1764, when, by acts of assembly of both colonics, it 
was referred, to be finally settled and determined by commis- 
sioners to be appointed by the crown. 

Another act passed at this time was that for running and ascer- 
taining the line of division between East and West New Jersey.* 

* This was a straight line from the most northerly point or boundary on the 
northermost branch of the Delaware river, to the most southerly point of a 
certain beach or island of sand, lying next to and adjoining the main sea on 



220 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The beginning of the summer of this year afforded a fair 
prospect of a plentiful harvest ; much was expected from a great 
crop in the ground. A day or two in the beginning proved good 
weather, but before the grain was secured, showers of rain and a 
few hours sunshine constantly succeeded each other. Clouds, at 
first small in appearance, spread widely and rain filled the furrows. 
The intervals of sunshine encouraged opening the shocks, but 
were not long enough to dry them. After several weeks came 
two days and a half of fair weather. What could be dried and 
saved was now done. The rain then began again, and continued 
day after day as before, alternate rain and sunshine, for nearly 
three weeks, so that single ears of corn standing grew. Thus it 
continued till the grain was gradually reaped. Several lost their 
corn entirely, others saved but little. This was what they called 
the wet harvest. 

We have now, in the year 1720, come to the end of Governor 
Hunter's administration. He resigned in favor of William 
Burnet, (son of the celebrated Bishop Burnet). He at once 
returned to England, after having occupied the position of gov- 
ernor of the province for ten years. 

Governor Burnet had a ready art of obtaining money ; few 
loved it more. This foible, it is said, drew him into schemes, 
gaming, and considerable losses. His address here was engaging 
and successful. He assented to most of the laws the people 
wanted, and filled the offices with men of character. 

He had before, as early as the year 1705, been appointed 
lieutenant governor of Virginia, under George, Earl of Orkney, 
and while on his voyage thither was taken prisoner to France. 

The assembly at the sessions last mentioned fixed for salary 
and incidental charges, six hundred pounds per annum. For 
two years this had been the accustomed support since the surren- 
der, except once in Lord Cornbury's time, five hundred pounds 
was provided in the succeeding administrations. 

This was continued until Lewis Morris became governor of 

the north side of the mouth or entrance of Little Egg Harbor. All the lands, 
islands and waters eastward of this line, was to be forever known as the 
eastern division, while those on the west were to be the western division of 
the province. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 221 

New Jersey, separate from New York, when it was augmented to 
one thousand pounds per annum and sixty pounds house rent, 
with five hundred pounds additional the first year, for expenses 
attending the voyage, &c. 

Soon after his arrival Governor Burnet met the assembly, when 
but little business was thought necessary, neither did they very 
well agree. That house had been continued a long time, and 
were now dissolved, and writs issued for a new election. 

The members returned were convened early in the spring of 
1 72 1, and chose Dr. John Johnston speaker. 

The members of council named in the instructions to Gover- 
nor Burnet were Lewis Morris, Thomas Gordon, John Anderson, 
John Hamilton, Thomas Byerly, David Lyell, John Parker, John 
Wiles, John Hugg, John Johnston, Jr., John Reading, and 
Peter Bard. 

The members of this house of assembly were John Johnston 
and Andrew Reading, for Perth Amboy ; John Kinsey and Moses 
Rolph, for the county of Middlesex ; Robert Lettis Hooper and 
Thomas Leonard, Somerset ; Josiah Ogden and Joseph Bonnel, 
Essex ; William Provost and Isaac Vangezon, Bergen ; William 
Lawrence and Garret Schank, Monmouth ; John Allen and Jon- 
athan W^right, town of Burlington ; William Trent and Thomas 
Lambert, county of Burlington ; Samuel Cole and John Mickle, 
Gloucester ; John Mason and Thomas Mason, town of Salem ; 
Isaac Sharp and Bartholomew Wyatt, county of Salem ; Hum- 
phrey Hughes and Nathaniel Jenkins, Cape May. 

Governor Burnet delivered the following address : 

^'Gentlemen-. — The choice which the country has made of 
you to represent them, gives me a happy opportunity of knowing 
their sentiments. Now, when they have been fully informed of 
mine in the most public manner, I have no reason to doubt that 
after so much time given them to weigh and consider every 
particular, you bring along with you their hearty resolutions to 
support His Majesty's government in such an ample and honora- 
ble manner as will become you to offer, and me to accept ; and 
in doing this, I must recommend to you not to think of me* so 

* Whether an alteration in sentiment or instructions, or both, was the cause, 
must be left to conjecture; but while Burnet was governor of Massachusetts 



222 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

much as of the inferior officers of this government, who want 
your care more, and whose salary have hitherto amounted to a 
very small share of the public expense. I cannot neglect this 
occasion of congratulating you upon the treasures lately dis- 
covered in the bowels of the earth, which cannot fail of 
circulating for the general good, the increase of trade, and the 
raising the value of estates. And now you are just beginning to 
taste of new blessings ; I cannot but remind you of those which 
you have so long enjoyed, and without which all other advan- 
tages would but have increased your sufferings under a Popish 
King and a French government. 

"You can ascribe your deliverance from these to nothing but 
the glorious revolution begun by King William the Third, of 
immortal memory, and completed by the happy accession of his 
present majesty King George to the throne of Great Britain, and 
his entire success against his rebellious subjects at home, and all 
his enemies abroad. 

"To this remarkable deliverance, by an overruling hand of 

Providence, you owe the preservation of your laws and liberties, 

the secure enjoyment of your property, and a free exercise of 

religion, according to the dictates of your conscience. These 

invaluable blessings are so visible among us, and the misery of 

countries where tyranny and persecution prevail so well known, 

that I need not mention them to raise in your minds the highest 

sense of your obligations to serve God, to honor the King, and 

love your country. 

"W. Burnet." 

The assembly, through John Johnston, their speaker, delivered 
the following address to the governor : 

" May it please Your Excellency : 

" We gladly embrace this opportunity to assure Your Excel- 
lency that our sentiments and those we represent, are one and 

Bay his conduct was different. There he insisted for several years with the 
greatest firmness on an indefinite support, and pursued it through the planta- 
tion boards, privy council, and even to the parliament itself, where his death 
prevented its coming to a conclusion ; but his course was entirely different 
here, as he appears to manifest more interest in the subordinate officers of the 
province than for himself. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 223 

the same, cheerfully to demonstrate our loyalty to our sovereign 
King George, and submission to his substitute, and readiness to 
support his government over us in all its branches, in the most 
honorable manner the circumstances will allow, which we hope 
Your Excellency will accept of, though it fall short of what the 
dignity of His Majesty's governor and the inferior officers of the 
government might expect were the province in a more flourishing 
condition. 

** We thankfully acknowledge Your Excellency's congratula- 
tion, and doubt not when the imaginary treasures (except Mr. 
Schuyler's) becomes real, the country will not be wanting in 
their duty to His Majesty in making Your Excellency and the 
officers of the government partakers of the advantage. We doubt 
not but Your Excellency will extend your goodness to counte- 
nance any proposal that may tend to the public utility. 

"We hope Your Excellency will excuse us in falling short of 
words to express our thankful acknowledgments to God Almighty 
and those under him, who have been instruments in working 
deliverance to that glorious nation to which we belong from 
popery, tyranny, and arbitrary power, wishing it may always be 
supplied with great and good men, that will endeavor their 
utmost to maintain His Majesty's royal authority, and assert and 
defend the laws, liberties and properties of the people against all 
foreign and domestic invaders. 

"We beg Your Excellency to believe the sincerity of our 
thoughts, that there are none of His Majesty's subjects that 
entertains hearts more loyal and affectionate, and desire more to 
testify their duty, gratitude and obedience to their sovereign 
King George, his issue, and magistrates of their respective de- 
grees, than doth the representatives of His Majesty's province of 
New Jersey. 

"John Johnston, Speaker'^ 

Sundry bills were prepared during this session, among these 
one whose title is too singular to be om.itted. It was, "An act 
against denying the divinity of our Saviour Jesus Christ, the 
doctrine of the Blessed Trinity, the truth of His holy Scriptures, 
and spreading atheistical books." 

This bill did not pass, but was rejected on its second reading. 



224 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Assemblies in the colonies rarely troubled themselves with 
these subjects, perhaps never before or since. It probably arose 
from the inclination of the governor, who had a turn that way, 
and who had written a book to unfold some part of the 
Apocolypse. 

The sessions continued nearly two months. The support of 
the governor was settled at five hundred pounds per year, for 
five years. 

After this when several other bills had been passed, the gover- 
nor dismissed them with the following speech : 

" Gentlemen : — I have so many reasons to thank you for your 
proceedings in this affair, that should I mention them all, time 
would not suffice me. Two I cannot but acknowledge in a par- 
ticular manner : the acts for the cheerful and honorable support, 
and for the security of His Majesty's government in this 
province. 

"I cannot but say that I look upon the latter as the noblest 
present of the two, as I think honor always more than riches. 
The world will now see the true cause of our misunderstandings 
in the last assembly, and that we met in the innocency and 
simplicity of our hearts ; that the enemy had sown such seeds of 
dissension among us that defeated all our good purposes, and 
made us part with a wrong notion of one another. 

" It has pleased God now to discover the truth, and no man 
in his sober senses can doubt that the hand of Joab was then 
busy, as it is now certain that it has been at this time. 

" It is a peculiar honor to me to be thus justified in all my 
conduct by the public act of the whole legislature, and God 
knows my heart that I am not fond of power, that I abhor all 
thoughts of revenge, and that I study to keep a conscience void 
of offence towards God and towards man. 

"After the publication of the acts, I desire you to return to 
your house, and after having entered this speech in your minutes, 
to adjourn yourselves to the first day of October next, that 
though it is not probable we should meet so soon, it may not be 
out of our power if occasion should be. 

"May 5th, 1722. W. EuRNET." 

Governor Burnet, after this, continued to preside over New 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 225 

York and New Jersey until 1727, when he was removed to 
Boston, and was succeeded by John Montgomerie, Esq., who 
continued in the position until his death, which happened July 
ist, 1 731, when the government devolved on Colonel Lewis 
Morris until August ist, 1732. 

He was succeeded by William Cosby, who also occupied the 
position until his death in 1 736. The government then devolved 
on John Anderson, Esq., president of council. 

Anderson died about two weeks afterwards, and was succeeded 
by John Hamilton, Esq., (son of Andrew Hamilton, governor 
in the time of he proprietors). Hamilton governed nearly two 
years. 

In the summer of 1738, a commission arrived appointing 
Lewis Morris, Esq., as governor of New Jersey, separate from 
New York. He continued in the office until his death in 1746. 
He was succeeded by President Hamilton, it being the second 
time he occupied the office by virtue of his being president of 
council. 

Upon the death of Hamilton, which occurred soon after, he 
was succeeded by John Reading, Esq., the next oldest councillor, 
who continued to exercise the office until the summer of 1 747, 
when Jonathan Belcher, Esq., arrived in the province. He 
continued in office ten years, and died in the summer of 1757. 

Upon the death of Belcher, John Reading succeeded him, by 
virtue of being president of council. This was also the second 
time he had acted as governor, by virtue of his position in 
council. 

Francis Bernard, Esq., arrived as governor in 1758, but in 
two years afterwards he was removed to Boston, and was suc- 
ceeded in 1760 by Thomas Boone, Esq., and the next year he 
was removed to South Carolina, and was succeeded here by 
Josiah Hardy, Esq., in 1761. 

Hardy was afterwards removed and appointed consul at Cadiz, 
&c., and in the spring of 1763 he was succeeded by William 
Franklin, Esq., the last royal governor. 

At the breaking out of the war in 1776, he was known to be 
so wholly wedded to the crown as to be an enemy of the people 
of the province. 

p 



2 26 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

On the 30th of May, 1776, he summoned the members of the 
legislature to meet the provincial congress, which was then in 
session. They passed a resolution declaring that the proclamation 
of William Franklin, late governor, ought not to be obeyed.* 

Congress soon after declared him to be an enemy to the 
liberties of the country, and discontinued his salary as governor. 
Colonel Nathaniel Heard, who commanded the militia of Mid- 
dlesex county, was directed to arrest him, and take his parole in 
writing that he would not attempt to exercise any special 
authority in the province, and in case he should refuse to sign 
it to put him under strong guard, and keep him in close custody. 

He refused to sign the parole, whereupon Colonel Heard 
surrounded his house with a guard of sixty men, and despatched 
a messenger to the congress asking further instructions. He was 
commanded to bring the late governor to Burlington. 

The fact of his arrest and confinement by the provincial 
congress was then reported to the continental congress, 
at that time in session at Philadelphia, and they asked for 
instructions as to what disposition should be made of him, 
at the same time recommending that he be removed to some 
other province. They directed that he should be examined, and 
if, in their opinion, it was thought necessary that he should be 
confined, then the continental congress would direct in what 
way he should be imprisoned. 

He was accordingly arraigned before the provincial congress 
on the 2ist of June, and refused to answer any questions put to 
him by that body. He also denied the authority of that body 
over him, and denounced them in severe terms for having 
usurped the authority of the King in the province. He was 
accordingly ordered into close confinement, under a guard com- 
manded by Lieutenant Colonel Bowes Reed. 

An order was received from the continental congress on the 
25th of June, directing that he should be sent under guard to 
Governor Trumbull of Connecticut, who was requested to take 
his parole. Immediately after his release, Franklin sailed for 
England. 

Although born in Philadelphia, and the son of one of the 

* This resolution was passed by a vote of thirty-five to eleven against it. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 227 

greatest patriots of the war, the great Benjamin Franklin, he yet 
remained loyal to the British government, and was a conspicuous 
enemy to American independence. His father refused all inter- 
course with him during the war, solely on the ground of the 
steps he had taken in reference to the struggle. 

The governor wrote his father a letter under date of July 2 2d, 
1784, proposing a reconciliation. The old patriot replied: 
*' Nothing has ever hurt me so much and affected me with such 
keen sensations as to find myself deserted in my old age by my 
only son; and not enly deserted, but to find him taking up arms 
against me in a cause wherein my good fame, fortune and life 
were all at stake." Governor Franklin died in England, No- 
vember 17th, 1813, in the eighty-third year of his age, having 
resided there thirty-seven years. 

We have no knowledge that they ever became reconciled, for 
Benjamin Franklin held the liberties of his country dearer than 
his own life, as was evidenced by the bold stand he took during 
the war, even in the pres ence of those he knew to be open and 
avowed enemies. 

As before stated. Governor Burnet commenced his administra- 
tion in the year 1720, and during his time some of the most 
remarkable acts of the assembly were those for the support of 
the government, for which they made liberal provision. Five 
hundred pounds per annum for five years was voted as the salary 
of the governor, and at the same time they authorized the issue 
of bills of credit to the amount of forty thousand pounds, for 
the purpose of increasing the circulatin g medium of the province. 
The act authorizing the latter sets forth in its preamble the fact 
" that the country had been drained of its metallic currency, and 
the paper currency of the neighboring colonies never having 
been made a legal tender, and in consequence of the gold and 
silver formerly current in this province has been almost entirely 
exported to Great Britain and elsewhere, and therefore many 
hardships which His Majesty's good subjects within this colony 
lie under for want of a currency of money, and that both the 
neighboring provinces of New York and Pennsylvania, to which 
the exportation of this province is chiefly carried, have their 
currency of money in paper bills, and do pay for the produce of 



2 28 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

this province in no other specie, and which bills of credit of the 
neighboring provinces being no legal tender here, does expose 
the inhabitants to numerous vexatious suits for want of bills of 
credit in this province, by law made and declared a legal tender, 
as is done in the neighboring provinces." 

It further set forth, in order to pay the small taxes for the 
support of the government, they have been obliged to cut down 
and pay in their plate earrings and other jewels, 

The authorized issue of these were four thousand bills of three 
pounds each, eight thousand of one pound, eight thousand of 
fifteen shillings, eight thousand of twelve shillings, eight thousand 
of three shillings, twelve thousand of one shilling and sixpence, 
and fourteen thousand of one shilling. 

Upon these bills were impressed the arms of Great Britain on 
the left side, and at the bottom of each and the value of the 
same, was printed near the top and bottom. 

Loan offices were established in the several counties, and the 
bills were apportioned to them. 

To Bergen county, two thousand nine hundred and twenty- 
pounds. Essex, four thousand eight hundred and ninety-three 
pounds. Middlesex, four thousand one hundred and sixteen 
pounds. Monmouth, six thousand and thirty-three pounds. 
Somerset, one thousand three hundred and seventy-four pounds. 
Hunterdon, three thousand and twenty-eight pounds. Burling- 
ton, four thousand two hundred and eighty-three pounds. 
Gloucester, three thousand and eighty pounds. Salem, fire 
thousand one hundred and fifty-two pounds, and Cape May, 
eleven hundred and fifteen pounds. 

These bills were to be signed by John Parker, Peter Bard, 
Robert Lettis Hooper, Esqs., and Mr. James Trent, or any 
three of them. 

The printer was required to take an oath that from the time 
the letters were set and fit to be put in the press for printing, 
the bills -now delivered by him to the above named persons, 
until they were printed, and the letters unset and put in the 
boxes again, that at no time he went out of the room in which 
the said letters were without locking them up, so as that they 
could not become at without violence, a false key, or other art 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 229 

then unknown to him ; and that no copies were printed off 
except in his presence, and that all the blotters and other 
papers whatsoever, printed by the said letters, while set for 
printing the said letters, to the best of his knowledge, had 
been delivered to them, together with the stamps for the indents 
and arms. 

The signers were also required to take an oath for the true 
signing the bills, and that they would sign no more than was 
authorized by the act. 

The commissioner of each county was also required to take 
an oath that he would faithfully discharge the trust reposed in 
him for the county for which he was appointed, and also to 
give bond in the full sum entrusted to him for the faithful dis- 
charge of his duty. 

The commissioners were created a body politic and corporate 
for the county in which each were appointed. 

The bills were to be lent out by the commissioners to such 
as should apply for the same, upon their giving as security 
mortgages on lands, lots, houses, or other valuable improve- 
ments lying in the county. The commissioners were first to 
view the lands and exam ine the titles. 

The bills were to continue current for twelve years, and then 
to be loaned out at five per cent. 

In the year 1730, a similar act was passed authorizing the 
issue of twenty thousand pounds of credit for sixteen years, in 
order to increase the revenues of the province, and to take the 
place of the above loan, which would expire in 1732. For this 
loan, was received wheat, silver and gold. 

In 1735, another act was passed authorizing the issue of bills 
of credit to the amount of forty thousand pounds for sixteen 
years. Wheat, gold and silver, as well as mortgages, were to be 
received for these bills. 

In 1740, two thousand pounds in bills of credit were issued 
for victualling and transporting the troops to be raised in this 
colony for His Majesty's service on an intended expedition to 
the West Indies. 

In 1746, an act was passed for making current ten thousand 
pounds in bills of credit to enable the honorable John Hamil- 



230 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

ton, Esq., commander-in-chief of this colony, or the com- 
mander-in-chief for the time being, to defray the expenses of 
arming and clothing the forces to be raised in this colony for 
His Majesty's service in the present expedition against Canada. 

All these issues, although at one period they were at a heavy 
discount, were fully redeemed. 

The penalty for counterfeiting them was death. 



CHAPTER XL 

1674— 1693. 

Quintipartite deed — Twenty-four proprietors — Borough officers for 
Bergen and EUzabethtown — Punishment for different crimes — 
Marriages not to be solem?iized until after publication — Militia 
law — Formation and boundaries of counties — Bergen — Essex- 
Middlesex — Monmouth. 

The original establishment of the government of New 
Caesaria or New Jersey, was by the proprietors, who claimed to 
have derived their right from the grant of the Duke of York. 

The constitution framed by Berkely and Carteret, engrossed 
on a parchment roll, and signed by them, bears date January 
loth, 1664. 

On the 29th of June, 1674, a second grant was made to the 
Duke of York by Charles II., by the grace of God, King of 
England, France and Ireland, and defender of the faith \ and 
on the 29th of July of the same year, another grant was made 
to Lord Berkely and Sir George Carteret. 

The commission appointing Philip Carteret, governor of the 
province, bears date July 31st, 1674. 

The quintipartite deed of division between East and West 
Jersey, was dated July ist, 1676, in the twentieth year of the 
reign of King Charles II., between Sir George Carteret, of 
Saltrum, in the county of Devon, knight and baronet, and one 
of His Majesty's most honorable privy council of the first part, 
and William Penn, of Richmansworth, in the county of Hert- 
ford, Esq., of the second part; Gawen Lawry, of London, 
merchant, of the third part ; Nicholas Lucas, of Hertford, in 



232 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the county of Hertford, malster, of the fourth part, and Edward 
Billinge, of Westminister, in the county of Middlesex, gent., of 
the fifth part. 

This deed recites, that whereas our said sovereign lord, the 
King's Majesty, in and by his letters patents under the great 
seal of England, bearing date the twelfth day of March, in the 
sixteenth year of His Majesty's reign, did give and grant unto 
his dearest brother James, Duke of York, all that part of the 
mainland of New England, beginning at a certain place called 
or known by the name of St. Croix, next adjoining to New 
Scotland, in America, and from thence extending along the sea 
coast to a certain place called Pemaquine or Pemaquid, and so 
up the river to the furthest head of the same as it tendcth north- 
ward, and extending from thence to the river of Kenebeque, 
and so upward to the river Canada, northward ; and al^so all 
that island or islands commonly called by the several name or 
names of Matowacks or Long Island, situate and being towards 
the west of Cape Cod and the Narrow Higansetts, abutting 
upon the mainland between the two rivers known by the names 
of Connecticut and Hudson's river, together with the said 
Hudson river, and all the lands from the west side of Con- 
necticut river to the east side of Delaware bay ; also the islands 
known as Martin's Vineyard or Nantukes, otherwise Nantucket. 

This same deed recites that His Royal Highness, the said 
James, Duke of York, conveyed to John Lord Berkely and Sir 
George Carteret, all that tract of land adjacent to New Eng- 
land, and lying and being to the westward of Long Island and 
Manhattan island, part of the said mainland of New England, 
beginning at St. Croix, mentioned to be granted to His Royal 
Highness by the said therein and hereinbefore recited letters 
patent ; bounded on the east, part by the main sea, and part by 
Hudson's river, and hath upon the west Delaware bay or river, 
and extending southward to the main ocean as far as Cape May 
at the mouth of Delaware bay ; and to the northward as far as 
the northermost branch of the said bay, or river of Delaware, 
in forty-one degrees and forty minutes of latitude, and crosseth 
over thence in a straight line to Hudson's river in forty-one 
degrees of latitude, which said tract of land was then afterwards 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 233 

to be called by the name or names of New Caesaria or New 
Jersey. 

On the eighteenth day of March, 1673, John Lord Berkeley, in 
consideration of the sum of one thousand pounds, conveyed, 
unto John Fenwick, one-half of the lands owned by him in 
New Jersey. 

On the ninth day of February, 1674, John Fenwick and 
Edward Byllinge sold to William Penn, Gawen Lawry and 
Nicholas Lucas, for one year. And on the tenth day of the 
same month a tripartite grant of release or confirmation was made 
between John Fenwick of the first part, Edward Byllinge of the 
second part, and William Penn, Gawen Lawry, and Nicholas 
Lucas of the third part. 

This last conveyance was for one undivided half-part of New 
Jersey. 

The province was to be divided into two equal parts, separated 
by a straight line running north and south. That part on the 
east of this line was to belong to Sir George Carteret, and to be 
called East New Jersey, while that part on the west, was to be 
held by William Penn, Gawen Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, in 
trust for Edward Byllinge. 

They were to pay annually to the Duke of York the sum of 
twenty nobles, one-half of which was to be paid by Sir George 
Carteret, and the other half by William Penn, Gawen Lawry and 
Nicholas Lucas. 

After the death of Sir George Carteret, on the first and 
second of February, 1682, his widow, Elizabeth Carteret, John 
Earl of Bath, Thomas Lord Crew, Bernard Greenville, Sir 
Robert Atkins, Sir Edward Atkins, Thomas Pocock, and 
Thomas Cremer, conveyed the eastern division of New Jersey, 
in fee simple, to William Penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, 
Samuel Groom, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Thomas Wilcox, 
Ambrose Rigg, John Heywood, Hugh Hartshorne, Clement 
Plumsted, and Thomas Cooper. 

These twelve proprietors the same year conveyed the land to 
twelve others, viz : Robert Barclay, Edward Byllinge, Robert 
Turner, James Brain, Aarent Sonmans, William Gibson, Gawen 
Lawry, David Barclay, Thomas Barker, Thomas Varne, James 
Earl of Perth, Robert Gordon, and John Drummoiid. 



234 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The legal year in England began the 25 th of March, but the 
historical year began the ist of January following ; and in 
Scotland they also began the year on the ist of January, which 
accounts for the seeming impropriety of the dates of some of 
the foregoing, and other ancient records. 

In the early days of the province the governor, six councillors 
and twelve assemblymen, constituted the law making power. 

In 1668, we find two burgesses for Bergen, two for Elizabeth- 
town, two for Newark upon Pishawack river, two for Wood- 
bridge, two for Middletown, and two for Shrewsbury. 

These met May 26th, 1668, and enacted laws for the punish- 
ment of different crimes in the province. 

It was at this session enacted that the governor and his 
council, with the burgesses or deputies of the country, be 
called the general assembly of the lords proprietors. They 
were to meet on the first Tuesday of November annually, and 
the deputies of each town to be chosen on the first day of 
January annually. Any deputy being absent from the meeting 
was to pay a fine of forty shillings for every day's absence, unless 
he gave a reasonable excuse, which was satisfactory to the general 
assembly when in session, or at any other time to the governor 
and his council. 

Previous to this general assembly the only laws they had 
were those made by the proprietors themselves, and called the 
grants and concessions of the lords proprietors. After Carteret's 
commission as governor, they were governed by his instructions, 
then by a constitution called the declaration of the proprietors. 
After the second grant to the Duke of York, and the grant to 
Sir George Carteret, they were governed by directions, instruc- 
tions, and orders issued by George Carteret, knight and baronet, 
vice-chamberlain of His Majesty's household, and one of His 
Majesty's most honorable privy council, and lord proprietor of 
the country or province of New Caesaria or New Jersey. But 
in 1668, Governor Philip Carteret, his council, and the deputies 
of the several towns, held a general assembly, and enacted laws 
for the province. 

In 1675, an oath of fidelity to the King and the lords pro- 
prietors was established. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 235 

They were required to swear to the allegiance they owed 
King Charles as the lawful and rightful sovereign, and that the 
Pope, neither of himself, nor by any authority of the church, or 
See of Rome, or by any other means with any other, had any 
power or authority to depose the king, or dispose of any of His 
Majesty's kingdoms or dominions, or to authorize any foreign 
prince to annoy him or his country, &c. 

The next general assembly met at Elizabethtown, November 
5th, 1675. They were called the governor, council, and depu- 
ties, or representatives of the country. They each took the 
oath, except one from Shrewsbury, who refusing to swear or sub- 
scribe, was dismissed. 

Previous to the sitting of the general assembly, March ist, 
1682, all the laws enacted by that body were called acts of the 
general assembly, and were printed as though they were but one 
act, being distinguished in paragraphs by Roman numerals. 
But after the session of 1682, they were divided into chapters, 
and each act was designated by its title. There were at this 
session eighteen acts passed, the principal one of which was 
dividing the province into four counties. 

Bergen county was to contain all the settlements between 
Hudson's river and Hackensack river, beginning at Constable's 
hook, and so extending to the uppermost bound of the province 
northward between the said rivers. 

January 21st, 1709-10, the line was extended to the Pequanock 
and Passaic rivers, and the sound. 

By this act Bergen county was bounded from Constable's 
hook, along the bay and Hudson's river, to the partition line 
between New York and New Jersey ; thence along the partition 
line between the said provinces, and the division line of East 
and West Jersey to Pequanock river ; thence down that and 
Passaic river to the sound, and thence to the place first named. 

Its situation on Hudson river, opposite and adjacent to New 
York, opened an advantageous intercourse with that market. 
Their lands are generally good for grass, wheat, or any other 
grain. 

In the early days of the province the Schuyler's had here two 
large parks for deer and other game. The inhabitants of this 



236 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

section of the country being the descendants of the low Dutch 
or Hollanders, that originally settled there under the Dutch 
title, preserved the religion of their ancestors, and worshipped 
after the manner of the Reformed churches in the united 
provinces. They were in principal, Presbyterians, yet in sub- 
ordination to the classis of Amsterdam. Their language in 
general still bears the Dutch accent, nor have they forgot the 
customs of Holland. The county bordering on New York has 
an area of about three hundred and fifty square miles. It is 
bounded on the east by Hudson river, and is intersected by 
Ramapo, Hackensack, and Saddle rivers, which afford valuable 
water-power. The famous palisades of the Hudson are situated 
on the east border of the county. The surface is generally 
uneven, and in the west part mountainous. The soil is fertile, 
particularly along the valleys of the stream. Magnetic ore and 
limestone are found. The railroad connecting Jersey City with 
Binghampton, in New York, traverses the western part of this 
county. This, the Erie railway, is a broad gauge, double track, 
between the Atlantic cities and the south, south-west, and north- 
west. Its connection is 860 miles without change of cars 
between New York, Rochester, Buffalo, Dunkirk, Salamanca, 
Corry, Meadville, Akron, Mansfield, Gallon, Urbana, Dayton, 
Hamilton and Cincinnati. The eastern termination is Long 
Dock, Jersey City. 

This county was organized in 1682; reorganized in 1710, but 
the area was diminished February 7th, 1837, by the formation 
of Passaic county from Bergen and Essex counties ; and again 
February 2 2d, 1840, by the formation of Hudson county. 
This act set off into Hudson county the townships of Bergen, 
North Bergen, and Harrison. The capital is Hackensack. 

The present bounds are, north by Rockland county, New 
York, east by the Hudson river, south by Passaic and Hudson 
counties, and east by Passaic county. East and west it is- about 
nineteen miles long ; the breadth on the east is fourteen, and on 
the west nine miles. The central part is generally level and 
undulating; on the west it is mountainous, and on the east 
bordering on the Hudson river, are the famous palisades 
composed of trap-ridge, which extend the whole width of the 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 237 

county. The soil, particularly in the valleys, is fertile, and 
productive of early summer vegetables — apples, strawberries, 
and other fruits, the city of New York furnishing an ample 
market for the productions of the county. There are many 
small and beautiful farms, with neat cottages, in the Dutch style 
of architecture, painted white, and being surrounded by shrub- 
bery; they present an air of comfort and thrift. These are 
principally in the valleys of the Hackensack or Saddle rivers, 
and on the adjacent hills. The population in 1738, was 4,095 ; 
in 1745, 3,006; in 1840, 13,223; in 1850, 14,725, of whom 
forty-one were slaves; in i860, 21,618, of whom two were 
Indians — one male and one female, and in 1870, 30,122, 
divided in the nine townships, as follows: Franklin, 2,899, of 
whom seventy-two were colored ; Hackensack, 8,038, of whom 
three hundred and thirty-two were colored ; Harrington, 2,664, 
of whom two hundred and twenty-six were colored ; Hohokus, 
2,632, of whom two hundred and forty were colored ; Lodi, 
3,221, of whom one hundred and forty were colored ; New Bar- 
badoes, 4,929, of whom three hundred and thirteen were 
colored; Saddle River, 1,168, of whom sixty-nine were colored ; 
Union, 2,057, of whom seventy-one were colored; Washing- 
ton, 2,514, of whom one hundred and sixty-nine were colored, 
making the white population 30,122, and the colored 1,632; 
total in 1870, 31,754. 

In Bergen county are the Schuyler mines. In this county 
was born the famous Peter Schuyler, who died in 1762, at the 
age of fifty-two years. He was a younger son of Aarent 
Schuyler, the discoverer, and first owner of the celebrated mines 
above mentioned. He had command of the provincial troops 
against the French in Canada, and was in several campaigns in 
two wars afterwards, and by judges of military merit, he was 
allowed to have ranked high. He had qualities besides, that 
greatly recommended him to his acquaintances, being of a 
frank, open demeanor, extensive generosity and humanity, and 
unwearied in his endeavors to accomplish whatever appeared of 
service to his country. He was taken a prisoner at Oswego 
when that post was given up to the French, and long detained 
as such in Canada, where, having letters of credit, he kept an 



238 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

open house for the relief of his fellow sufferers, and advanced 
large sums of money to the Indians in the French interest, for 
the redemption of captives, many of whom he afterwards, at his 
own expense, maintained while there, and provided for their 
return, trusting to their honor and abilities for repayment, in 
which way, although he lost much money, he considered it well 
bestowed. In person he was tall and hardy, rather rough at first 
view, yet a little acquaintance discovered his sincerity, and that 
he was ever ready to render any kind office in his power. In 
conversation he was above artifice, or the common traffic of 
forms and ceremony. He enjoyed friendship with a true relish, 
and in every relation what he appeared to be, he truly was. 

Franklin township is five miles north and south, and ten east 
and west. On the north it is bounded by Hokokus township, 
east by Washington and Midland, south by Saddle river, Chester 
and Wayne, and west by Pompton and Wayne. On its eastern 
boundary is Saddle river, and the Ramapo on its west. The soil 
is well cultivated and productive. Its population in 1750 was 
1,741; in 1760, 2,318; and in 1870, 2,899. 

Hackensack, formerly a township of this county, was ten 
miles long, with a width varying from three to five miles. It 
was bounded north by Harrington, east by the Hudson river, 
south by North Bergen, in Hudson county, and west by Lodi 
and New Barbadoes. The famous Palisades were on its east, 
along the Hudson river. Many of its inhabitants cultivated 
truck for the New York market. Its population in 1850 was 
3,506; in i860, 5,488; and in 1870, 8,038. Fort Lee, a cele- 
brated military post during the Revolutionary war, was located 
in this township, on the Hudson river. It is now in ruins, but 
a village bearing the same name occupies the spot. Below it is 
a village called Bull's Ferry, named from the ferry that has ex- 
isted there more than half a century. Below this ferry there 
stood in the time of the Revolutionary war, a small block house, 
then in possession of the enemy, which was stormed by General 
Wayne, but he was unsuccessful in dislodging the enemy, though 
they were nearly conquered at the time he drew his men off, as 
it is said they had but a single round left, and had he have con- 
tinued a few moments longer, would have completely routed 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 239 

them. On the 2 2d of March, 1871, the townships of Engle- 
wood, Palisades, and Ridgefield, were formed from Hackensack 
township. 

Harrington township was much reduced in 1840 by the forma- 
tion of Washington township, the latter taking off about one- 
half of its inhabitants. It measures about five miles each way, 
and is nearly square. Its bounds are Rockland county, New 
York, on the north, Hudson river on the east, Palisade township 
south, and Washington on the west. On the east are the famous 
Palisades, and the Hackensack river divides it on the west from 
Washington township. Population in 1850, 1,195; ^^ i860, 
1,602 ; and in 1870, 2,664. 

New Barbadoes is north of Lodi, east of Midland, and west 
of Englewood and Ridgefield townships. It is about five miles 
long, from north to south, and two wide from east to west. Its 
population in 1850 was 2,265; i^ i860, 3,558; and in 1870, 
4,929. 

The town of Hackensack is the seat of justice of the county, 
and lies on the Hackensack river, in New Barbadoes township, 
about thirteen miles from New York city. Its name is derived 
from the river. Its extent is more than a mile along two princi- 
pal streets. It contains nine churches, one of which (the 
Reformed Dutch) is a handsome stone building. It has two 
academies, a boarding school, classical institute, and more than 
three hundred dwellings. Small vessels are constantly plying 
between this place and New York. At the commencement of 
the Revolutionary war, it contained only about thirty houses. 
It now has a population of about 2,000. The first house erected 
for public worship was in 1696, and the present stone edifice was 
built in 1 79 1, being the third one on this site. 

Saddle river township, before the formation of Passaic county, 
in 1847, comprised within its limits what is now the township of 
Manchester. Its form was at that time like a saddle, and from 
thence it derived its name. It is sev'en miles long and two miles 
wide. On its north is Franklin, East Midland, and Lodi, South 
Lodi, and West Acquackannonck, and Manchester townships, 
the cities of Paterson and Passaic. In 1850 its population was 
823; in i860, 1,007; and in 1870, 1,168. 



240 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Hokokus was formed in 1849, ^^^ i^i 1852 part of it was set 
off to Washington township. Its population in 1850 was 2,274; 
in i860, 2,352 ; and in 1870, 2,632. 

Union was set off from Harrison, Hudson county, and an- 
nexed to Bergen county in 1852. Its population in i860 was 
957, and in 1S70, 2,057. 

Washington was formed in 1840, from the western part of 
Harrington. It is about seven miles long and five wide. Rock- 
land county, New York, lies on its north, Harrington on the 
east, Midland south, and Franklin and Hokokus west. Popula- 
tion in 1850, 1,807 ; in i860, 2,273 > ^^^ i^ 1870, 2,514. 

Essex county was first formed in 1682, and contained all the 
settlements between the west side of Hackensack river, and the 
partition line between Woodbridge and Elizabethtown, and 
extended westward and northward to the utmost bounds of tlie 
province. The lines were changed in i709-'io, to begin at the 
Rah way river where it falls into the sound, and running thence 
up said river to Robinson's branch ; thence west to the division 
line between the eastern and western divisions, and so follow 
said division line to Pequannock river where it meets the Passaic 
river ; thence down the Passaic river to the bay and sound ; 
thence down the sound to where it began ; Elizabeth being at 
that time in Essex county. 

November 4th, 1741, the lines were again changed, and part 
of the county was annexed to Somerset. 

November 28th, 1822, the easterly bounds were declared to be 
the middle of the waters of the sound, as far as the limits of the 
county extended. They were again changed in 1847, when 
Union county was formed. 

Smith, in his History of New Jersey, published in 1800, 
informs us that "in 1741, Essex county contained the well 
settled towns of Elizabeth and Newark.* In the latter, the 
courts for the county were held, and in the former those for the 
ancient borough. This being an old settled county and good 
land, was consequently thickly inhabited. Their plantations 
were too high in value to be generally large, and their improve- 

* At each of these, there were at that time a public library. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 241 

ments were greater than in many other parts. At this time the 
Presbyterians had seven places of worship, Episcopalians three, 
Baptists one, and the Dutch Calvinists two." 

This county at the present time is about twenty miles long, 
with an average breadth of about twelve miles. 

The county of Passaic, and a small part of Morris, bounds it 
on the north, Hudson county and Newark bay on the east, 
Union county on the south, and Morris county on the west. 
Its population in 1810 was 25,984; in 1820,30,793; in 1830, 
41,911 ; in 1840, 44,621; in 1850, 73,950; in 1860,98,877; 
and in 1870, 143,839. 

Belleville township was formed from the eastern portion of 
Bloomfield in 1839. It is about four miles in length and about 
two in width. 

Acquackannonck, Passaic county, bounds it on the north. 
Union, Hudson county, from which it is separated by the Pas- 
saic river, on the east, Newark on the south, and Bloomfield on 
the west. It contains extensive manufactories. Population in 
18 50? 3)5^4 '} ^^ i860, 3,969 ; and in 1870, 3,644 inhabitants. 

The town of Belleville is beautifully situated on the Passaic 
river, about three miles north of Newark. It was once called 
Second river, and had a large population as early as 1682. It 
contains over two hundred dwellings, and several large manufac- 
turing establishments. It is somewhat of a resort in the summer 
s eason by persons from New York city and vicinity. 

Franklin, formerly called Spring Garden, is a flourishing little 
manufacturing village, containing about thirty dwellings. 

Bloomfield township is five miles long by three wide. On its 
north is Acqackannonck, Passaic county, Belleville and the city 
of Newark on the east, Orange on the south, and Montclair and 
Orange on the west. On the Second and Third rivers, there are 
numerous manufacturing establishments. The population in 
1850 was 3,385; in i860, 4,790; and in 1870, 4,580. The 
village of the same name extends about three and a half miles 
in a northwesterly direction, including West Bloomfield. It was 
settled in the early part of the colony by New Englanders. 

Caldwell was formed from Newark and Acquackannonck in 
1798. It is about seven miles long by four wide. On its north 

Q 



242 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

is Little Falls and Wayne, in Passaic county, and Pequannock 
in Morris county, Montclair on the east, West Orange and 
Livingston on the south, and Hanover and Montville, Morris 
county, on the vi'est. In the eastern part are the First and 
Second mountains, and the remainder of the township abounds 
in hills. The population in 1850 was 2,377; in 1S60, 2,688; 
and in 1870, 2,727. 

The town of Caldwell is about ten miles northwest from 
Newark, and contains about thirty-five dwellings, and a Presby- 
terian church. Verona is about two miles east from Caldwell, 
and contains a Methodist church, and about twenty-five dwel- 
lings. Fairfield contains a Dutch Reformed church, lies in the 
northern part of the township, and is a rich agricultural district. 
Franklin is a thriving village, and lies about a mile west of 
Caldwell. 

Clinton was formed from Elizabethtown, Newark and Orange, 
in 1834. Its length is about four miles, and breadth about two 
and a half miles. South Orange and Newark lies on the north 
of it, and Newark is also on its east, while the township of 
Union, in Union county, is on its south, and South Orange on 
the west. 

Camptown was a flourishing village, about three and a half 
miles from Newark, containing about fifty dwellings and three 
churches, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and what was called a Free 
Church. The name was derived from the fact that during the 
Revolutionary war, the American army was for some time en- 
camped here. The population of the township in 1850 was 
2,508; in i860, 3,659; and in 1870, 2,240. 

East Orange was formed from part of the town of Orange, 
March 4th, 1863. Population in 1S70, 4,315. 

Fairmount was formed March nth, 1862, from parts of the 
town of Orange, and the townships of Caldwell and Livingston, 
and on the 14th of March, 1863, the name was changed to West 
Orange. It is four miles long by two and a half in width, and 
in 1870 contained a population of 2,206. 

Livingston was formed in 181 2, is five miles long and four 
wide. On the north is Caldwell, on the east West Orange, on 
the west Chatham and Hanover, in Morris county, and on the 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY 243 

south Millburn. It lies ten miles west of Newark, and contains 
the small settlements of Livingston, Centreville, Moorehous- 
town, and Northfield. Population in 1850, 1,151 ; in i860, 
1,323; and in 1870, 1,157. 

Millburn was formed from Springfield March 20th, 1857, and 
February 25th, 1863, part of it was set off to South Orange. 
Population in i860, 1,630; and in 1870, 1,675. 

Montclair was formed from Bloomfield, April 15th, 1868. 
The first mountain forms its boundary on the west, and separates 
it from Caldwell township. Population in 1870, 2,853. 

Woodside was formed from the township of Belleville, March 
2 4th, 1869 and on the 5th of April, 1871, it was divided be- 
tween the city of Newark, and annexed to the Eighth ward, and 
the township of Belleville. Population in 1870, 1,172. 

Newark city was first settled in 1666, by emigrants from Con- 
necticut, two years after the first settlement of Elizabethtown. 
The streets are wide and well laid out. It was originally settled 
by thirty families from Guildford, a beautiful post borough and 
township in New Haven county, on Long Island sound ; Bran- 
ford, a post town and seaport of New Haven county ; Milford, 
another post village in the township and seaport of New Haven, 
on the Wopewang river, as well as from New Haven itself. 

Governor Carteret upon his arrival here in August, i 665, sent 
agents out to New England to publish the concessions, and to 
invite settlers to the new colony. These towns sent out Captain 
Robert Treat, John Curtis, Jasper Crane, and John Treat, to 
view the country, and ascertain more particularly the terms of 
purchase, and the disposition of the Indians in the vicinity. 
These agents upon their return, made a favorable report, and 
were at once deputised to bargain for a township, and select a 
proper site for a town, as well as to make immediate arrange- 
ments for a settlement. 

The agents saw at once the advantages to be derived from a 
settlement where the present city of Newark stands for a town, 
and accordingly selected that spot. 

After everything had been satisfactorily arranged, they set out 
under the guidance of their agents above named, and after a 
long and tedious passage, equal to crossing the Atlantic at the 



244 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY 

present day, they arrived early in the month of May in the 
Passaic river. Here their further progress was impeded by the 
Hackensack Indians, who claimed the soil which the Governor 
had granted, and opposed their landing, unless they were first 
compensated for the land. 

An Indian by the name of Perro laid claim to the land where 
Newark now stands, and the emigrants were compelled to buy it 
of him before they were permitted to land. 

The land purchased was set forth to be "a parcel of land 
lying and being on the west side of the Kill Van Coll, beginning 
at the mouth of a certain creek named Waweayack, (Bound- 
Brook) upon the side of Newark bay; then running up said 
creek to the head of a cove ; and then in a westerly direction to 
the foot of the Watchung mountain, running along the foot of 
said mountain until it meets by an east line a small river coming 
from the hills into Passaic river, named Jantucuck (Third river) ; 
thence running down Passaic river and Arthur Kull bay, till it 
meets with the mouth of Waweayack, as above said." 

This was the original township of Newark, and comprehended 
Bloomfield, Caldwell, Livingston, Orange, and Springfield, as 
well as Newark. 

The price paid for this land was one hundred and thirty 
pounds, New England currency, twelve Indian blankets, and 
twelve Indian guns. 

The settlers first located in separate neighborhoods, but being 
fearful of danger in being thus scattered about in different local- 
ities, they determined in 1666 to form one township, with 
specific rules for government, and "to be of one heart and hand 
in endeavoring to carry on their spiritual concernments as well 
as their civil and town affairs, according to God and godly gov- 
ernment." They appointed a committee of eleven to order and 
settle the concernments of the people of the place, 

This committee was Captain Robert Treat, Lieutenant Samuel 
Swain, Samuel Kitchell, Michael Tompkins, Morris Say, Richard 
Beckly, Richard Harrison, Thomas Blatchly, Edward Riggs, 
Stephen Freemna, and Thomas Johnson. 

These articles specified that " No person could become a 
freeman or burgess of their town, or vote in its elections, but 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 245 

such as was a member of some one of the congregational 
churches, nor be chosen to the magistracy, nor to any other 
military or civil office. But all others admitted to be planters 
were allowed to inherit and to enjoy all other privileges, save 
those above excepted." 

A number arrived in November of this year from Branford, 
thereby augmenting the population of the town, so that in June, 
1667, the population consisted of sixty-five efficient men, besides 
women and children. 

In the distribution of the lands among the settlers, each man 
drew by lot six acres as a homestead, the allotments being made 
in the several localities where they had previously formed a 
settlement. In parcelling out the lands, the Upper Green, now 
Washington Square, was reserved for a market place, and the 
Lower Green, now called the Park, for a military parade ground. 

The first magistrates, chosen in 1668, and representatives to 
the first assembly, were Robert Treat, and Jasper Crane. Mr. 
Treat was chosen the first recorder, or town clerk. He after- 
wards removed to Connecticut, of which state he became 
governor, and shortly after died. 

Rev. Mr. Pierson was their first clergyman, and in his old age, 
his son Abraham was appointed his assistant. 

Their first school was established in 1676, and Mr. John 
Catlin was engaged to instruct the children in as much English 
reading, writing, and arithmetic, as he could teach. Mr. Catlin 
was also the first lawyer settled in the town. The first shoe- 
maker was Samuel Whitehead, of Elizabethtown, who was to 
supply the town with shoes. Newark is now the largest city in 
the state, and is extensively engaged in manufacturing. The 
population in 1850 was 38,894; in i860, 71,941 ; and in 1870, 
'^^S'OSP- The city is divided into fourteen wards. 

The city of Orange is divided into three wards. It was incor- 
porated as a town January 31st, i860. The present charter 
creating it into three wards was approved March 3d, 1869, and 
on the 3d of April, 1872, a supplement was approved by which 
it was changed to a city. Its population in 1850 was 4,385 ; in 
i860, 8,877; ^"d in 1870, 9,348. East Orange township was 
formed from part of the town of Orange, March 4th^ 1863, and 



246 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

in 1870 contained a population of 4,315. South Orange was set 
off from Clinton and the town of Orange, March 13th, 1S61. 
Its population in 1870 was 2,963. West Orange was formed 
from the town of Orange; population in 1870, 2,106. 

Middlesex county was formed in 1682, and was the third 
county in the province. It was to begin at the parting line 
between Essex county and the Woodbridge line, containing 
Woodbridge and Piscataway, and all the plantations on both 
sides of the Raritan river as far as Cheesquake harbor eastward , 
extending southwest to the division line of the province, and 
northwest to the utmost bounds of the province. 

The lines were changed in 1709-10. They were again 
changed in I7i3-'i4, and again in 1790. Another change was 
made in 1822, and again in 1838, when Mercer county was 
formed. The lines were again changed in 1857, at the formation 
of Union county. The population in 1850 was 28,635 ; in i860, 
34,812 ; and in 1870, 45,029. 

It is about twenty-four miles long and twelve broad, and has 
on its north Union county, Staten Island and Raritan bay on 
the east and southeast, Monmouth and Mercer on the southwest, 
and Somerset west. 

East-Brunswick was formed from Mercer and New-Brunswick 
n i860, at which time the population was 2,436, and in 1870 it 
was 2,861. Spottswood, on the line of the Amboy division of 
the Pennsylvania Railroad, derived its name from John John- 
son, of Spottswood, in Scotland. Herbertsville, or Old Bridge, 
is on the South river, a branch of the Raritan. 

Madison was formed from South Amboy township in 1869, 
and in 1870 had a population of 1,634. Jacksonville is located 
at the head of Cheesquake creek. 

Monroe was formed from South Amboy in 1838, and in 1850 
had a population of 3,001; in i860, 3,131 ; and in 1770, 3,253. 
New-Brunswick is divided into six wards. Its population in 
1850 was 10,008; in i860, 11,156; and in 1870, 15,058. It 
was incorporated as a city in 1784. Rutgers College, built of a 
dark red freestone, and finished in 181 1, is located here. This 
institution was chartered by George III, in 1770, and was called 
Queen's College in honor of his wife, but did not go into oper- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 247 

ation until 1781, for want of funds. In 1825 the name was 
changed, as a mark of respect to Col. Henry Rutgers, one of its 
distinguished benefactors. 

Gordon, in his Gazette, informs us, " That at the close of the 
17th century, the place where the city now stands was covered 
with woods, and called, after the name of its proprietor, ' Prig- 
more's Swamp.' The first inhabitant of whom any account Is 
preserved, was one Daniel Cooper, who resided where the post 
road crossed the river, and kept the ferry, which afterward, in 
1 713. when the county line was drawn, was called Inian's ferry. 
This ferry was granted by the proprietors, November 2d, 1697, 
for the lives of Inian and wife, and the survivor, at a rent of five 
shillings sterling per annum. The first inhabitants were of 
European origin, from Long Island. About 1730, several Dutch 
families emigrated from Albany, bringing with them their build- 
mg materials, in imitation of their ancestors, who imported their 
bricks, tiles, &c., from Holland. About this time the name of 
New-Brunswick* was given to the place, which had heretofore 
been distinguished as 'The River.' " 

North-Brunswick contained in 1S70, 1,124 inhabitants. 
Perth Amboy city is situated at the head of Raritan bay. In 
1850 it contained 1,865 inhabitants; in i860, 2,302; and in 
1870, 2,861. It takes its name from James Drummond, one of 
the proprietors, and Earl of Perth, and Amboy from Ambo, 
meaning in the Indian language, a point. 

The situation for a sea trade, as lying open to Sandy Hook, 
whence vessels may arrive in any weather in one tide from the 
sea, and find a safe, commodious harbor, capacious enough to 
contain many large ships, and was allowed to be as good a port 
as most on the continent. 

Piscataway was incorporated in 1798, so named from some of 
the first settlers who came from Piscataqua, in Maine, and upon 
their arrival they called the place New Piscataqua. 

New Market, formerly Quibbletown, is a thriving post town. 
New Brooklyn, Samptown, New Durham, and Raritan Landing, 
are small villages in the township. The population of Piscata- 

* German fandlks^^tling there named it after the Duchy of the same 
name in Northwestern Germany. 



248 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

away was in 1850, 2,975; ^^ i860, 3,186; and in 1870, 2,757. 

Raritan township was formed from Piscataway and Woodbridge 
in 1870, and has a population of 3,460. It is nine miles north 
and south, and six east and west. 

South Amboy township is located on Raritan bay, at the 
mouth of Raritan river, and has a population of 4,525. This is 
the termination of the Camden and Amboy division of the 
Pennsylvania railroad. 

There is near this village a superior quality of clay, from 
which stoneware is extensively manufactured. 

South-Brunswick township adjoins Mercer county. Population 
in 1850, $,368; in i860, 3,816; and in 1870, 3,779. Several 
miles of it in the north part are covered with some notable 
sandhills. 

The village of Kingston is on the line of Somerset county, 
near Princeton. This was, before the railroads were built, the 
great thoroughfare between New York and Philadelphia. The 
passengers were carried through in stages, and as many as fifty 
stages have been seen here at one time in front of Withington's 
hotel, loaded with about four hundred passengers. Opposite 
Withington's hotel, in the early days of the state. Van Tilburgh 
kept a hotel, which was celebrated as the favorite stopping-place 
of Washington, as well as the governors, who stopped here in 
passing from the eastern towns to the capital at Trenton. 

Cranberry is in Cranberry township. It was here that David 
Brainard labored so arduously among the Indians, being attended 
with remarkable success. Cranberry contains about 1,000 in- 
habitants. The township was set off from South-Brunswick and 
Monroe townships in 1872. 

Woodbridge is on the northeastern end of the county, and 
contained in 1850, 5,141 inhabitants, and in 1870, 3,717. It is 
about ten miles long and nine miles in breadth. Uniontown 
and Woodbridge are in this township. The town of Wood- 
bridge was first settled by emigrants from England, who came 
over in 1665, with Governor Carteret. It was at one time a 
prominent place in the province. 

Monmouth county, in 1682, was to begin at the westward 
bounds of Middlesex county, containing Middletown and 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 249 

Shrewsbury, and to extend westward, southward, and northward, 
to the extreme bounds of the province. The lines were altered 
January 21st, lyop-'io; again March 15th, 1713; again No- 
vember 28th, 1822, and again February 15th, 1850, at the form- 
ation of Ocean county. It is considered one of the best, if not 
the best, agricultural counties in the state, the farms being under 
a high state of cultivation. Their marl, which was at one time 
considered valueless, is now much sought after as a manure. 
Peat, which is also found in other sections of the county where 
marl is not, is also used for manufacturing purposes. This is 
usually mixed with lime, and has been found very efficacious for 
the purpose of a manure. The population of the county in 1850 
was 30,313 ; in i860, 39,346 ; and in 1870, 46,195- 

Atlantic township contained in 1870, 1,713 inhabitants. 
Colt's Neck, originally called Call's Neck, from a Mr. Call, a 
resident there, is in this township, and is five miles from Free- 
hold, on a neck of land formed by two branches of the Swim- 
ming river. 

Freehold township was formed in 1798, and contained in 
1850, 2,644 inhabitants; in i860, 3,811 ; and in 1870, 4>23i. 
The northern and middle part abounds in fertile farms. 

The town of Freehold is the seat of justice of the county, and 
is distant about thirty miles from Trenton. The town contains 
many large dwellings surrounded by spacious grounds, exhibiting 
wealth and refinement. The Episcopal is the oldest church in 
the town, and was used during the Revolution as barracks for the 
soldiers. It was known in olden times as Monmouth Court- 
House, from the fact of the courts meeting here. The first 
court-house erected here stood in front of where the one that 
was burned down on the 29th of October, 1873, stood. It was 
built in 1 715 of wood, and of antique style, with peaked roof, 
and clapboarded with shingles. In December, 1727, the court 
house and jail were destroyed by fire. About the year 1730, 
another court-house, with the jail under the same roof, was built 
on the same lot. That building stood over seventy years. It 
was built of frame, nearly square, smaller than the one which 
succeeded it, and had a roof shaped very much like that of the 
old Tenant church, with a small steeple in the centre. This 



250 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

court-house stood here at the time the battle of Monmouth was 
fought, at which time there was not a dozen houses in the village. 
The general officers of each army during their occupancy of the 
place, used the court-house as headquarters. Sir Henry Clinton, 
Lord Cornwallis, General Knyphausen, and other officers of the 
English forces, left the court-house suddenly on the morning of 
the 29th of June, 1778, when it was doubtless taken possession 
of by Generals Washington, Lafayette, Green, Wayne, Knox, 
Forman, Morgan, and others, whose names will go down to the 
latest generation on the page of history. 

In 1808 a new court-house was erected, when the old building 
was removed across the street, and occupied as a barn. In 
October, 1S73, the latter court-house was destroyed by fire, and 
a new one is now being erected upon the same lot which has 
been occupied for that purpose one hundred and fifty-eight years. 

Holmdel was formed from Raritan in 1857, and in i860 con- 
tained 1,334 inhabitants, and in 1S70 1,415. It is seven miles 
long north and south, and three and a half wide east and west. 

Howell was formed from Shrewsbury in 1801, and is ten miles 
long by seven wide. The New Jersey Southern, and Farming- 
dale and Squan Village Railroads, pass through the township. 
The central part contains marl pits of excellent quality, among 
the principal of which is the Squankum marl. The Hominy 
hills are located in the northern part, but in other respects it is 
generally level ground. New Bargain is a small settlement near 
the middle of the township. Farmingdale is a place of con- 
siderable importance, brought into notice through the marl pits 
located in its vicinity. Howell township contained in 1850 
4,058 inhabitants ; in i860, 2,574; and in 1870, 3,371. 

Manalapan is considered the most fertile agricultural township 
in the county. It is purely an agricultural district, and con- 
tained in 1850 1,910 inhabitants; in i860, 2,374; and in 1870, 
2,286. Englishtown lies near the centre of the township. 

Marlborough contained in 1850 1,564 inhabitants ; in i860, 
2,083; and in 1870, 2,231. The Monmouth County Agricul- 
tural Railroad passes through the township. 

Mutawan township was formed from Raritan in 1857, and 
contained in 1S60 2,072 inhabitants, and in 1S70 2,839. "^^^ 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 251 

village of Matawan, formerly called Middletown Point, is upon 
a narrow point of land formed by the Matawan creek, three 
miles from Raritan bay. The first settlers were Scotch, princi- 
pally from Aberdeen, and it was called by them New Aberdeen. 
At Mount Pleasant, during the Revolutionary war, lived Philip 
Freneau, a distinguished poet. He was educated at Princeton 
college, and enjoyed the friendship of Adams, Franklin, Jeffer- 
son, Madison, and Monroe. His patriotic songs and ballads 
were popular among all classes, possessing merit of a very high 
order, and were sung with enthusiasm everywhere. He was 
possessed of fine feelings, though in sentiment he was an infidel, 
and late in life became addicted to habits of intemperance. He 
died a miserable death near Freehold, on the i8th of December, 
1832, being then in the 80th year of his age. 

Middletown township was incorporated in 1798. The first 
permanent settlement made in this township was in 1666, by 
Richard Hartshorne, an English Quaker, who settled on the 
Navesink river. He called his place Portland Point. It was 
originally settled by Englishmen, from Long Island. Some 
Dutch and Scotch also settled in the township. The courts used 
to be held here two or three times a year, for Middletown, Pis- 
cataway, and other places. The town of Middletown is about 
forty-five miles from Trenton. The celebrated Highlands of 
Navesink are in this township, and extend along Sandy Hook 
for nearly five miles, on the west of Shrewsbury river. They are 
about three hundred feet in height, and on Beacon hill is a 
light-house called the Highland lights, to distinguish them 
from the one at Sandy Hook. With their new and improved 
French lights, they can be seen twenty-five miles out at sea. 

At Gravelly Point, the British army embarked after the battle 
of Monmouth, and it is celebrated as being the spot where the 
unfortunate Captain Joshua Huddy was barbarously murdered. 

Millstone township contained in 1850, 1,676 inhabitants; in 
i860, 2,356 ; and in 1870, 2,087. 

Ocean township contained in 1S60, 3,768 inhabitants; in i860, 
4,346; and in 1870, 6,189. The celebrated watering place. 
Long Branch, is in this township. 

Raritan township, in 1850, contained 4,198 inhabitants; in 



252 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

i860, 2,979 ; and in 1870, 3,443. Keyport is situated on Rar- 
itan bay, about two miles from Middletown, and twenty-two 
from New York, and is a place of resort for sea bathing in the 
summer season. From the town can be had a magnificent view 
of the bay, Staten Island, the Narrows, Sandy Hook, and the 
Ocean, which, on a pleasant day, exhibits a scene of great 
beauty, studded with its myriad sails. There are numerous 
oyster beds of the finest quality in Chingarora creek, at this 
place. Population in 1870, 2,366. 

Shrewsbury township is level, the southern part being sandy ; 
the soil is fertile, and contains excellent farming land. It was 
settled by emigrants from Connecticut in 1664. Lewis Morris, 
of Barbadoes, the uncle of Lewis Morris, Governor of New 
Jersey, carried on iron works here. The village of Red Bank is 
pleasantly situated on the Navesink river, two miles from Shrews- 
bury and five from the ocean. In 1830 it contained but two 
houses, but is now one of the most thriving villages in the state. 
It has an extensive trade with New York in vegetables, wood, 
and oysters. Population in 1870, 2,086. 

Upper Freehold township contained in 1850, 2,566 inhabi- 
tants ; in i860, 3,198 ; and in 1870, 3,640. 

Wall township was formed from Howell in 1851. Population 
in i860, 2,283, ^"^ i^'^ 1870, 2,669. Squan village is situated on 
the sea shore, and is a celebrated place for sea bathing, there 
being several boarding houses there ; it is much visited in the 
summer season. Iron has been considerably manufactured at 
the Howell furnace. During the Revolutionary war there were 
extensive salt works at Squan, and on one occasion about one 
hundred and thirty-five of the enemy landed on a Sunday, and 
burned all the salt works, as well as destroyed the kettles ; they 
then crossed the river and destroyed the works there. The next 
day they landed at Shark river, and set fire to two salt works 
I there, but seeing a number of horsemen they retreated, and 
jumping into boats sank two of them. The pines were infested 
with robbers, who secreted themselves in caves, and would 
commit their depredations in the night. The government 
offered large rewards for their destruction, and they were hunted 
like v/ild beasts, and though the most of them were exterminated, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 253 

the few that was left continued their pillaging until the close of 
the war. 

Eatontown township was formed from parts of the townships 
of Ocean and Shrewsbury, April 4th, 1873. The village of 
Eatontown is a mile and a quarter south of Shrewsbury. It 
derived its name from a family by the name of Eatton, who were 
among the early settlers, and purchased land here. Tinton Falls 
is two and a half miles from Shrewsbury, on a branch of the 
Navesink river, and was named from Tinturn, in Monmouth- 
shire, England, from whence the first settlers came. 



CHAPTER XII. 

1675- 

Continuation of counties — Salem — Gloucester — Somerset — Cape 
May — Burlington — Hunterdon — Morris — Cumberland — Sussex 
— Warren — Atlantic — Passaic — Mercer — Hudson — Cai7iden — 
Ocean — Union. 

SALEM COUNTY was named by John Fenwick, and dis- 
tinguished by his tenth in 1675. The name and jurisdiction 
was settled by a proprietory law in 1694. The boundaries were 
fixed in 1709, and altered in 1747. The population in iSio^was 
12,761; in 1820, 14,022; in 1830, 14,155; in 1840; 16,024; 
in 1850, 19,467; in i860, 22,458; and in 1870, 23,940. 

Elisinboro' is the smallest township in the county, containing 
only seven hundred inhabitants. Printz, the Swedish governor, 
erected a fort here, at Fort Point, on the eastern bank of Salem 
river. They called this fortress Helsingberg, from the ancient 
fortified town of South Sweden of that name, where there are 
large manufactories of earthenware and iron goods, and from 
this the name of the township is derived, being originally settled 
by Swedes. The Indian name of the place was Wootsessung- 
sing. The population is less than it was ten years ago, for in 
1850 it was 655 ; in i860, 749 ; and in 1870 but 700. 

Lower Alloways creek contained a population in 1830 of 
1,222; in 1840, 1,252; in 1850, 1,423; in i860, 1,471; and 
in 1870, 1,483. Canton is nine miles from Salem, and Han- 
cock's Bridge is five miles. 

Lower Penn's Neck in 1850 contained 1,429 inhabitants; in 
i860, 1,506; and in 1870, 1,472. Seven miles from Salem, on 
the Delaware river, is the small settlement of Kinseyville, (or 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 255 

Pennsville) from which place there is a ferry to New Castle, 
Delaware, two miles distant. Fort Delaware is an island opposite 
this township, which was formed by the sinking of a vessel on a 
sand bar. 

Mannington was at first called East Fenwick ; its present 
name is derived from the Indian word Maneto. Mannington- 
ville is a small settlement in the central part of the township. 
Mannington township contained in 1850 2,187 inhabitants ; in 
i860, 2,393; ill 1S70, 2,351. 

Pilesgrove township was named from James Piles, who was in 
its early settlement, a large landholder there. 

Woodstown was early settled by Jackanias Wood, from whom 
its name is derived. Sharpstown is on the Salem river, and 
Eldridge's Hill is about one mile from Woodstown. 

This township was principally settled by Friends, and in 1726 
they erected a meeting-house at Woodstown. The population 
of the township in 1850 was 2,962 ; in i860, 2,024; ^^ 1870, 

Pittsgrove township was formed from Pilesgrove, and named 
after Sir William Pitt. It is sixteen miles from Salem. In this 
township are the small villages of Pittstown (now called Elmer) 
and Centreville. In 1850 the population was 1,151 ; in i860, 
1,231 ; in 1870, 1,667. 

Salem is the seat of justice for the county, and is divided into 
two wards. Its population in 1830 was 1,570 ; in 1840, 2,006 ; 
in 1850, 3052 ; in i860, 3,901 ; and in 1S70, 4,555. The first 
attempt to form a settlement in the state was made at this place 
in 1 641, by some English families from New Haven, Connecti- 
cut about sixty in all, who projected their settlement on Salem 
creek, then called Ferken's creek. 

Upper Alloway's creek township contained 2,530 inhabitants 
in 1850; in i860, 2,899; in 1870, 3,062. Alloways creek runs 
through the township. Its name was derived from an Indian 
chief named Alloways, who lived here upon the arrival of Fen- 
wick in 1675. 

Friesburg (or Freastown) derived its name from a German by 
the name of Frcas. Allowaystown and Stockington are in this 
township. 



256 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Upper Penn's Neck is the northermost township in the county, 
and is situated on the Delaware river. Population in 1850, 
2,422; in i860, 2,901; in 1870, 3,178. Pedricktown is on 
Oldman's creek, three miles from the Delaware river. Sculltown, 
(originally called Locktown, from a Mr. Lock) is at the head of 
navigation on Oldman's creek. Quinton township was formed 
from Upper Alloway's creek township, February 17th, 1873. 

Pennsgrove is at the landing on the Delaware, in Upper Penn's 
Neck township. Upper Pittsgrove township contained in 1850 
1,656 inhabitants; in i860, 2,082; in 1870, 2,087. 

Gloucester county was first laid out in 1677, and in 1709 its 
boundaries were ascertained by legislative enactment, beginning 
at the mouth of Pensauken creek ; thence up the same to the 
fork thereof; thence along the line of Burlington county to the 
sea ; thence along the seacoast to Great Egg Harbor river ; 
thence up that river to the fork ; thence up the southcrmost and 
greatest branch of the same to its head ; thence upon a direct 
line to the head of Oldman's creek ; thence down the same to 
Delaware river ; thence up that river to the place of beginning. 
The population in 1810 was 19,744; in 1820, 23,071 ; in 1830, 
28,431 ; in 1840, 25,438; in 1850, 14,655 ; in i860, i8,444; in 
and in 1870, 21,562. 

The lines were changed by the formation of Atlantic county 
in 1837, and again upon the formation of Camden county in 
1844, and again by the annexation of Washington and Monroe 
townships from Camden county in 1871. 

Clayton township in i860 contained a population of 2,490, 
and in 1870 3,674. This township was formed from Franklin 
in 1858. 

Deptford contained a population in 1850 of 3,355 ; in i860, 
4,213 ; and in 1870, 4,663. West Deptford township was 
formed from Deptford in 1871. Woodbury is the seat of justice 
for the county, and is pleasantly situated on Woodbury creek. 
Woodbury was first settled by and derives its name from Richard 
Wood, of Perry, England. This place was settled in 16S4. 
Fort Mercer is on the Delaware, within the limits of West Dept- 
ford township, and Fort Mifflin is on an island in the river. 
Population in 1S60 1,534, and in 1870 1,965. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 257 

Franklin township was formed in 1820 from Greenwich and 
Woolwich townships. Population in 1850, 2,984; in i860, 
1,778; and in 1S70, 2,188. 

Glassborough is in Clayton township, about ten miles south- 
east of Woodbury. Messrs. Stanger & Co., comprising seven 
brothers, built glass works here in the time of the Revolution, 
and from this circumstance the place derive^ '^s name. These 
men were originally from Germany, and had been employed in 
Wistar's glass worts in Salem county. They erected some log 
buildings, which was the nucleus of the future town. The glass 
house at Salem is said to have been the first one established in 
America. The glass works here are extensive. 

In 1871, Washington and Munroe townships were set ofFfrora 
Camden county and annexed to Gloucester. Franklinville, 
formerly called Little Ease, is six miles southeast of Glassboro.' 
Malaga is at the angle of Gloucester, Cumberland, and Salem 
counties, on the Maurice river. 

Greenwich township contained a population in 1850 of 3,067 ; 
in i860, 2,199; and in 1870, 2,342. Berkeley (or Sandtown), 
Paulsboro', and Billingsport, the former named after Lord 
Berkeley, and the latter after Edward Byllinge. are in this 
township. 

Harrison township contained in 1850 a population of 1,984; 
in i860, 2,544; and in 1870, 3,038. Mullica Hill* is in this 
township. 

Mantua township in i860 contained a population of 1,742, 
and in 1870, 1,897. Barnsboro' and Carpenter's Landing, the 
latter named from Thomas Carpenter, an old settler, and Har- 
risonville, formerly called Colestown, are in this township. 

Woolwich township was settled at an early period by the 
Swedes on Raccoon creek, hence they called the name of the 
first town they located, Swedesboro'. 

Battentown is a good sized village, at the southern extremity 
of Swedesboro', and may be said to be a continuation of that 
town. Bridgeport, formerly called Raccoon Lower Bridge, is 

* Mullica Hill derived its name from Eric Molica, a Swede, who purchased 
a large tract of land, and settled here about the year 1698. 

R 



258 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

in this township. Woolwich township contained in 1S50, 3,265 
inhabitants; in 1S60, 3,478; and in 1870, 3,760. Woodbury 
is the seat of justice of the county, and contained in i860, 1,534 
inhabitants, and in 1870, 1,965. 

Somerset county was divided from Middlesex by a proprietory 
law in 1 688, ai which time it received its name. Its boundaries 
were limited by the act of 1709; again altered in 17 13 and 
1741; again in 1790 and in 1838, when Mercer county was 
formed; and again in 1858. Population in 1850, 19,692; in 
i860, 22,057; and in 1870,23,510. At Baskingridge, in this 
county, resided William Alexander, Earl of Sterling, one of the 
early settlers. Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen, ancestor of 
Theodore Frelinghuysen, was one of the early ministers in this 
place. He preached in the Dutch church of that village. 

The surface of the country is various, the northwest portion 
being mountainous, and the centre and southeast either level or 
undulating. The soil of the hills is generally clay or stiff loam, 
that of the level portions sandy loam, formed of shell, and the 
mountain valleys are of limestone. 

The range of hills about two miles north of Somerville, have 
been perforated by many mining shafts in search of copper ore. 
One of these shafts is 1300 feet in length. The ore is said to 
contain not only a large proportion of copper, but to be worth 
working on account of the gold it yields. The Bridgewater 
mineral paint mines are situated near the centre 

Somerset county is distinguished as the birthplace of Samuel 
L. Southard, Peter D. Vroom, Commodore Stockton, William 
L. Dayton, and Theodore Frelinghuysen. Its capital is Somer- 
ville. The Delaware and Raritan Canal pisses through this 
county, and follows the Millstone river to Bound Brook, when 
it takes a northeasterly course to the Raritan river, at New 
Brunswick. 

Bedminster township is hilly, the soil fertile and well culti- 
vated. It has several small settlements, among which are 
Lamington, Peapack, Little Cross Roads, Greater Cross Roads, 
and Pluckamin. The latter was a celebrated place in the Revo- 
lutionary war. The American army halted here the day after 
the battle of Princeton, January 4th, 1777, on their march to 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 259 

Morristown, and in the winter of 17 78-' 79, part of the army 
were encamped at this place. The number of inhabitants in 
1850 were 1,826; in i860, 1,996; and in 1870, 1,881. 

Bernards township is on the north branch of the Raritan river, 
opposite Bedminster. The population of this township was in 
1850, 2,267; in i860, 2,471 ; and in 1870, 2,369. 

Liberty Corners is a post village, eight miles from Somerville. 
Millington is also a post village, forty miles from Trenton, 
Vealtown is also a small village. Baskingridge is about forty 
miles from Trenton. The mansion. house of Lord Sterling 
formerly stood about one mile from this place. It was one of 
the most splendid in the state, having a fine garden, and a park 
well stocked with deer. He owned some of the most elegant 
horses of the day. 

The population of Branchburg township was in 1850, 1,143 
in i860, 1,174; and in 1870, 1,251. North Branch is a village 
of this township. 

Bridgewater township contamea a population in 1850 of 
4,070; in i860, 4,947; and in 1870, 5,884. Somerville, the 
county seat, is in this township, and contained in 1850, 1,300 
inhabitants. This village is of modern date. Martinsville and 
Bound Brook are also villages in this township. 

Franklin township contained a population in 1850 of 3,062 
in i860, 3,599; and in 1870, 3,912. Weston is a post village 
on the Millstone river. Middlebush and Griggstown are in this 
township. 

Hillsborough township is on the Millstone river. Its popula- 
tion in 1850 was 3,409; in i860, 3,488; and in 1870, 3,444- 
Blackwell's is on the Millstone river, six and a half miles from 
Somerville. Flagtown, Branchville (or North Branch), and 
Neshanic, are small villages. 

Millstone is on the left bank of Millstone river, and near tne 
Delaware and Raritan Canal, and contains about sixty dwellings. 
It was founded in 1720, and here the first court-house for Som- 
erset county was built, which was burned by the British in 1779. 

Montgomery township contained in 1850, 1,767 inhabitants; 
in i860, 1,975 ; and in 1S70, 2,066. Rocky Hill is a post 
village on the Millstone river, and the Delaware and Raritan 



26o -HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Canal. Plainsville, Harlingen, Blawenburgh, and Stoutsburgh, 
are in this township. 

It was at Rocky Hill that Washington wrote his farewell 
address to the American army, November 2d, 1783. The dwell- 
ing is still standing, and was at that time the residence of Judge 
Berrian. Congress was at that time in session at Princeton, and 
the president addressed him in a complimentary manner, to 
which he replied in the presence of congress and then retired. 
He was provided with a house at Rocky Hill, where he conferred 
from time to time with the committees and members of congress, 
giving them his views on such subjects as were referred to him. 
Warren township was formed in 1S06, from Bedminster and 
Bernards. Its population in 1850 was 2,148; in i860, 2,388; 
and in 1870, 2,705. In i778-'9, a part of Washington's army 
encamped here, in a fertile valley known as Washington's valley. 
Cape May was first made a county by proprietory law in 1692, 
and by another in 1694 its boundaries were better ascertained, 
and by the act of i709-'io they were again fixed. It is the 
most southerly county in the state, as well as the smallest in 
population. The Atlantic Ocean bounds it on the east and 
south, and Delaware bay on the west. This county derived its 
name from Cornelius Jacobson Mcy, who came here in 1623, 
under the auspices of the Dutch West India Company, with a 
number of settlers. He explored the coast from Cape Cod to 
the Delaware, and gave his own name to its northern cape. Its 
population in 1810 was 3,632 ; in 1830, 4,936 ; in 1S40, 5,324; 
in 1850, 6,433; ^^ i860, 7,130; and in 1870, 8,349. 

Cape May city contained in 1870 a population of 1,248. 
Dennis township was formed in 1S26. Dennisville (or Dennis 
Creek) is a flourishing post village, situated on both sides of the 
creek of the same name, and seven miles from Cape May Court- 
House, and called North and South Dennisville. Around this 
village is an extensive deposit of sound cedar timber in the soil. 
Ship building and trade in lumber are carried on to some extent. 
Lower, the most southern township in the state, was incorpo- 
rated in 1798. Cape Island is a favorite watering place in the 
southern part of the township. At the time it first came into 
notice as a watering place in 181 2, there were but few houses 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 261 

there, but it has now increased to considerable importance. 
During the summer months it is one of the most fashionable 
places of resort in the United States. It contains five or six 
churches, one bank, and eleven large and commodious hotels, 
besides numerous smaller ones. In summer Cape Island has 
daily communication with Philadelphia, and is thronged by the 
wealthy and fashionable, principally from that city. It is also 
largely patronized by residents from New York and the east. 
While the permanent population is only about one thousand, in 
the summer season it is increased from ten to fifteen thousand 
persons. At this place is the finest bathing in the world. Be- 
sides the hotels, there are numerous cottages and other houses for 
summer boarders. In and around the island there are about one 
hundred houses. The Cape May light-house is about two miles 
west of the boarding-houses. 

Cold Spring is a post village in this township, about ten miles 
from Cape May Court- House. The name is derived from a 
remarkable spring near it rising in the marsh, and is overflowed 
at every tide. Population about 400. This village contains 
about fifty houses within a radius of a mile. The water of the 
spring above mentioned flows up from the salt marsh, and is 
much frequented by visitors at the island. Cape Island received 
its name from the fact that it is separated from the mainland by 
a small creek, and the houses are located on both sides of the 
same, but principally on the north side. Fishing Creek, on the 
shore of Delaware bay, is six miles southwest of the county seat. 
Cape May county is an island. On its east and south is the 
Atlantic Ocean, west is Delaware bay and West Creek, and north 
is Tuckahoe river, which runs across its northern extremity. 

Middle township was incorporated in 1798, and contained in 
1850, 1,884 inhabitants ; in i860, 2,155; ^^^ ^^ 1870, 3,443. 
About one-half of this township is salt marsh or sea beach. It 
extends across the township from the Atlantic ocean to Delaware 
bay. Goshen is a post village about five miles northwest of the 
court house, and contains about twenty-five dwellings. The 
post village of Cape May Court-House is in the central part of 
the county, between Great Sound and Jenkins' Sound, and about 
eighty miles from Trenton, in a straight line. It contained in 



262 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

1870, 1,348 inhabitants. Upper township was incorporated in 
1798, and contained in 1850 1,341 inhabitants; in 1S60, 1,552; 
and in 1870, 1,433. 

The village of Tuckahoe is situated on Tuckahoe river. At 
Beesley's Point a ferry was established as early as 1692, which 
crossed over Great Egg Harbor river. 

The county of Cape May has an area of two hundred and 
fifty square miles. On the Atlantic coast is a sand beach, which, 
for the width of from a half to two miles, is covered with grass, 
affording excellent pasture. It is broken by various inlets, by 
which the sea penetrates the marshes, forming lagoons, or salt 
water lakes. The marsh is about four miles wide, and a similar 
marsh extends across the northern part of the county. Near 
Dennisville is a deposit of cedar timber in the soil to an indef- 
inite depth, which (although from the growth above it, it is 
believed to be over 2,000 years old) is still perfectly sound, and 
a large number of persons are employed in digging it out, and 
working it into shingles, posts, &c. The soil near the central 
part is clayey, with a sandy subsoil, and is naturally of a good 
quality. The county was organized under its present boundaries 
in 1710, having been previously named from Cornelius Jacobse 
Mey, a navigator in the service of the Dutch West India Com- 
pany, who visited Delaware bay in 1623, as previously stated. 

Burlington county was first laid out and settled in 1677, and 
its boundaries were limited by the act of i7o9-'io. It was 
curtailed in 1838, at the formation of Mercer county. The 
population in 1850 was 43,203; in i860, 49,730; and in 1870, 

53.639- 

The county derived its name from the town of Burlington, 
which was one of the earliest settled towns in West Jersey. 
The city of Burlington was laid out for a town in 1677, and at 
that time, and for many years subsequent, the courts were held 
here, and the legislature of the province met alternately here 
and at Amboy. The supreme courts were also held here and at 
Amboy. Burlington is next to the largest city in the county, 
having at the present time 5,817 inhabitants. It is a port of 
entry on the Delaware river, nearly opposite Bristol, in Pennsyl- 
vania, twenty miles above Philadelphia, and twelve miles south- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 263 

west of Trenton. The Camden and Amboy division of the 
Pennsylvania Railroad connects it with New York and Philadel- 
phia. The river here is about one mile wide, and is divided by 
an island containing three hundred acres, lying nearly opposite 
the city. The streets are wide, straight, and well shaded with 
trees, and lighted with gas. The houses are mostly built of 
brick, and the bank of the Delaware is adorned with many 
handsome residences and gardens. The city is copiously sup- 
plied with good water, raised by means of hydraulic machinery. 
Burlington College, for males, and St. Mary's Hall, for females, 
was founded by the Episcopalians in 1846, and had in 1852, one 
hundred and eighteen students, and a library of twelve hundred 
volumes. This city is much resorted to during the summer 
months by the citizens of Philadelphia, with which it communi- 
cates by steamboat several times a day. It was originally called 
New Beverly, then Bridlington, and afterwards by its present 
name. 

The population of Bass River township in 1870 was 807. 
Beverly township contained a population in i860 of 2,126, and 
in 1870, 2,438. Bordentown township and borough contained 
in i860 a population of 4,027, and in 1870, 6,041. The Bor- 
dentown Female Seminary, under the direction of Rev. John H. 
Brakeley, is located at this borough. Francis Hopkinson, the 
celebrated poet of the war, and one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence, resided here. Joseph Bonaparte, 
Count de Surviliers, ex-king of Spain and Naples, came to this 
country in 1815, and settled here the following season, and built 
his palatial residence, now the property of the heirs of Henry 
Becket. Bonaparte lived here during his stay in this country. 
He returned to Europe and died there, leaving his possessions 
here to his nephew. The park and grounds comprise about 
fourteen hundred acres, which were converted by the count into 
a place of beauty and elegance. His first residence, which stood 
on the site of the present one, was destroyed by fire, together 
with some rare paintings executed by the first masters of the old 
world, which rendered them of immense value. He had also 
the busts of the Bonaparte family, carved from the finest Italian 
marble. 



264 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Chester township contained a population in 1850 of 3,061 ; in 
i860, 2,227; and in 1870, 2,586. Moorestown, Chesterville, 
and Stiles Corners, are in this township. 

Chesterfield township contained in 1850 a population of 1,789; 
in i860, 1,628; and in 1870, 1,748. Crosswicks and Reckless- 
town are in this township. 

Cinnaminson township contained in i860 a population of 
2,701, and in 1870, 3,112. Bridgeborough, Cinnaminson, River- 
side, and Palmyra, are in this township. 

Evesham township contained in 1850 a population of 3,067 ; 
in i860, 3,145 ; and in 1870, 3,351. Evesboro', Marlton, and 
Milford, are in this township. 

Lumberton township contained in i860, 1,830 inhabitants, and 
in 1870, 1,718. Lumberton and Hainesport are the principal 
towns. 

Little Egg Harbor township comprises the southeastern 
section of the county, and contained in 1870 a population of 
1,779. Tucker's Beach fronts the township, in the Great and 
Little Egg Harbor bays. The town of Tuckerton was settled 
about the year 1699. 

Mansfield township in 1850 contained 2,953 inhabitants ; in 
_86o, 2,777; and in 1870, 2,880. Columbus (formerly called 
Black Horse) and Georgetown, are in this township. 

Medford township in 1850 contained a population of 3,022 ^ 
in i860, 2,136; and in 1870, 2,189. The town of Medford, on 
Haynes creek, is in this township. 

Mount Laurel township was formed from Evesham, March 7th, 
1872. Masonville, Mount Laurel, Hartford, and Fellowship, 
are post towns ; Centretown, Milltown, and Colemantown, are 
villages. 

New Hanover township in 1850 contained a population of 
2,245; in i860, 2,529; and in 1870, 2,536. Jacobstown, 
Cookstown, Arneytown, Sykesville, Wrightstown, and Point- 
ville, are in this township. 

Northampton township in 1850 contained a population of 
3,031 ; in 1S60, 2,997 ; and in 1870, 4,018. 

Mount Holly, the county town, is pleasantly situated in the 
west part of the township, on the Rancocas creek, nineteen 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 265 

miles from Trenton. It derived its name from the hill or moun- 
tain in the vicinity of the town, and from the holly trees 
growing upon its summit It was first settled by Friends a short 
time after the settlement of Burlington. It was a place of con- 
siderable importance during the Revolutionary war. Stephen 
Girard at one time resided here. 

Pemberton township in 1850 had a population of 2,866; in 
i860, 2,672; and in 1870, 2,743. The thriving village of Pem- 
berton is in this township, and contained a population in 1870 
of 797 ; the celebrated Brown's Mills are also here. There are 
also the villages called Mary Ann, Ong's Hat, Comical Corner, 
Hanover, and Birmingham. 

Randolph township contained in 1870 a population of 450, 
and was formed from Washington township. March 17th, 1870. 
Wading River and Lower Bank, are post towns. 

Shamong township contains extensive cedar swamps. Popula- 
tion in i860, 1,008, and in 1870, 1,149. Fruitland and 
Shamong are post towns. 

Beverly township was formed from Willingborough in 1859; 
Lumberton from Medford, Northampton, and Southampton, in 
i860 ; Bass River township was formed from Little Egg Harbor 
and Washington, in 1S69; Florence from Mansfield, in 1872; 
and Mount Laurel from Evesham, the same year. 

Southampton contained a population in 1850 of 3,545; in 
i860, 2,558; and in 1870, 2,374. 

Springfield township was settled between 1682 and 1685. 
Jobstown derived its name from Job Lippincott, who owned 
considerable land there about the year 1798. Juliustown, the 
principal village in the township, received its name from Julius 
Evans. The population of the township in 1850 was 1,827 j i^ 
i860, 1,810; and in 1870, 1,761. 

Washington township was formed from Northampton, Eves- 
ham, and Little Egg Harbor. Pleasant Mills and Green Bank are 
post towns. Crowleytown, Washington, and Quaker Bridge, are 
also in this township. It contains an extensive cranberry swamp. 
There are also large quantities of bog iron ore. The popula- 
tion in 1850 was 2,009 > i'^ i860, 1,008; and in 1870, 1,149. 

Westhampton township contained a population in 1850 of 



266 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

1,507 ; in i860, 1,313 ; and in 1870, 1,369. Rancocas and 
Smithville are post towns, 

Willingborough township contained a population in 1850 of 
1,596 ; in i860, 643 ; and in 1870, 750. A portion of Rancocas 
is in this township. 

Woodland township was formed from Pemberton, Shamong, 
Southampton and W^ashington, in 1866, and although the largest 
in the county as to territory, it is the smallest in population, 
containing in 1870, 389 inhabitants. Shamong, Woodmansie, 
Mount Misery, and Speedwell, are villages of the township. 

Hunterdon county was divided from Burlington by an act of 
assembly in 1713, and derived its name from Governor Robert 
Hunter. The boundaries were then fixed, but altered in 1738, 
and again changed upon the erection of Mercer county in 1838. 
This county is situated along the Delaware river, above tide 
navigation, and was, in 1765, the most populous and opulent 
county in the piovince. The land is generally good for tillage. 
This county is very mountainous, and contains diversified hills, 
table lands, and fertile valleys. 

Alexandria township was incorporated in 1798. Mount 
Pleasant, Little York, Everittstown, Musconetcong, Holland, 
and Milford, are post towns. On its northern end, bordering 
on Warren county, is some very fine iron ore. Milford is a 
thriving village on the Delaware, in a highly fertile and well 
cultivated region. The township of Alexandria contained in 
1850, 3,811 inhabitants; in 1860,4,088; and in 1S70, 3,341. 

Bethlehem township was incorporated in 1798, and contains 
the towns of Bethlehem, Charlestown, Bloomsbury and Junction. 
The New Jersey Central Railroad runs through the entire length 
of the township. The population in 1850 was 2,746; in i860, 
1,859; ^"^ i" i87o> 2,211. 

Clinton township was formed from Lebanon in 1838. Its 
population in 1S50 was 2,369; in i860 including the village of 
Clinton 2,949 ; and in 1870, 3,134- This village was formerly 
called Hunt's Mills, from an early proprietor, in consequence of 
its valuable water power. It is beautifully diversified with hills, 
was incorporated as a borough in 1865, and contained in 1870, 
7S5 inhabitants. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 267 

Delaware township M^as formed from a part of Amwell, in 
1838. Its population in 1850 was 2,554; in i860, 2,838; and in 
1870, 2,959. Sergeantsville, Head Quarters, Sandbrook, Rose- 
mont, Stockton, Raven Rock and Prallsville are post towns and 
villages of this township. 

East Amwell was formed from Amwell in 1856; in i860 
it contained a population of 1,865; and in 1870, 1,802. The 
Sourland Mountains are partly in this township and partly in 
Hillsborough township, Somerset county. 

Franklin township contained in 1850 a population of 1,452; 
in i860, 1,552; and in 1870, 1,342. Sidney, Pittstown, Quaker- 
town^ Oak Grove and Cherryville are post towns. 

High Bridge township was formed March 29, 1871, from part 
of the townships of Clinton and Lebanon. High Bridge is a 
post village, Readingsburg and Cokesburg are in this township. 
The south branch of the Raritan river runs through the centre of 
the township from north to south, and the New Jersey Central 
Railroad runs across its entire western part. 

Kingwood township was formed in 1798. In 1850 the popu- 
lation was 1,799 } i^ i860, 2,148 ; and in 1870, exclusive of the 
borough of Frenchtown, it was 1,942. The borough of French- 
own was incorporated in i 867, and in 1870 contained a popula- 
tion of 912. 

Lebanon township was formed in 1798, and contained in 1850, 
a population of 2,128 ; in i860, 2,495 > ^^^^ i^^ iSyo? 3o6i An- 
thony, Changewater, White Hall, New Hampton and Glen 
Gardner are post towns. 

Raritan township was formed from A mwell in 1838. Its popu- 
lation in 1850 was 3,070; in i860, 2,270; and in 1870, 3,654; 
Flemington the county seat is in this township. Its population 
in 1870 was 1,412. In the vicinity of Flemington are valuable 
copper mines. Croton and Copper Hill are post villages. 

Readington township was formed in 1798. Its population in 
1850 was 2,836 ; in i860, 3,074 ; and in 1870, 3,070. The New 
Jersey Central Railroad runs through the township, near its cen- 
tre. Whitehouse, Potterstown, White House Station, Reading- 
ton, Pleasant Run, Stanton, Rowland Mills and Centreville are 
post villages. 



268 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Tewksbury township was formed in 1 798. Its population in 
1850 was 2,301; in i860, 2,333; and in 1870, 2,327. New Ger- 
mantown, Fairmount, Farmersville and Mountainville are in 
this township. 

Union township was formed from Bethlehem in 1853, and con- 
tained in i860, 1,217 inhabitants; and in 1870, 1,051. Perry- 
ville and Pattenburg are post towns. 

West Amwell township was formed from Amwell in 1856, and 
contained in 1S60, 1,089 inhabitants, and in 1S70, 4,872. The 
town of Lambertville contained in 1850, 1,417 inhabitants; in 
i860, 2,699; and in 1870, 3,842. It was incorporated as a town 
April 13, 1868. 

Morris county was incorporated 1738, and its boundaries were 
then established by law, but were altered by the formation of 
Sussex in 1753. It was named from Governor Lewis Morris. 
Morristown is the county seat. Boonton towrship was formed 
from Hanover and Pequannock townships in i£67, and in 1870 
contained a population of 3,458. Chatham township in 1850, 
contained a population of 2,469; in 1S60, 2,968; and in 1870, 
3,715. The Morris and Essex Railroad runs through this town- 
ship. Chester was formed in 1799, and in 1850 contained a 
population of 1,334 inhabitants; in i860, 1,558; and in 1870, 
1,743. Hanover was formed in 1700, and in 1S50 contained a 
population of 3,614; in 1S60, 3,476; and in 1870, 3,623. Jeffer- 
son contained in 1850 a population of 1,358; in i860, 1,471; and 
in 1870, 1,430. 

Mendham contained a population in 1850 of 1,723; in i860, 
1,660; and in 1870, 1,573. Montville was formed from Pequan- 
nock in 1S67, and in 1870 contained a population of 1,403. 
Morris contained a population in 1S50 of 4,992; in 1S60, includ- 
|ing Morristown, 5,985; and in 1870, 5,674. Passaic contained 
a populat ion in 1870 of 1,624. It wi.s formed from Morris in 
1866. 

Pequann ock, named from the tribe of Indians found there, con- 
tained in 1850, 4,126 inhabitants; in 1S60, 5,438; and in 1870, 
1,534. Randolph contained in 1850 2,6 32 inhabitants; in i860, 
3,173; and in 1870, 5,111. Dover, a thriving post village near 
the centre of the county, is situated on the Rockaway river and 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 269 

on the Morris canal, about seven miles from Morristown. The 
inhabitants are extensively engaged in iron manufactures. There 
are several forges, foundries, rolling mills, spike factories and 
steel furnaces. The Morris and Essex Railroad passes through 
the place. 

Rockaway contained in 1850, 3,139 inhabitants; in i860, 
3,551 ; and in 1870, 6,445. -^^ this township is the famous 
copperas mountain. 

Roxbury contained in 1850 2,269 inhabitants; in 1S60, 2,865; 
and in 1870, 3,320. In this township, as well as the adjoining 
one, Washington, are the celebrated Schooley's Mountains, a great 
summer resort for invalids. 

Washington adjoins Roxbury on the south. Its population in 
1S50 was 2,502 ; in i860, 2,504; and in 1870, 2,484. 

Cumberland county was named by Governor Jonathan Belcher, 
out of respect for the Duke of Cumberland. It was divided 
from Salem by an act of the assembly in 1747, at which time 
the boundaries were fixed. Bridgeton, the county town, con- 
tains three wards, and is located in Bridgeton township. Its 
population in 1850 was 2,446; in i860, 3,595; and in 1870, 
6,830. Previous to 1747, it formed a portion of Salem county. 

At its formation, it was divided into six townships, since 
which time Bridgeton, Downe, Landis, and Millville, have been 
added, making in all ten townships. The population of the 
county was in 1850, 17,189; in i860, 22,605; and in 1870, 
34,665. This county formed a portion of Fenwick's tenth. In 
1868, Cohansey was merged in Bridgeton. 

Deerfield is in the northwestern part of the county, seven 
miles from Bridgeton. The West Jersey Railroad runs through 
the centre of this township, from north to south. The popula- 
tion in 1850 was 927; in i860, 1,288; and in 1870, 1,518. 
Downe is in the southern part of the county, on Maurice river 
cove, and contained in 1850, 2,341 inhabitants; in i860, 3,114; 
and in 1870, 3,385. Mauricetown (on Maurice river). Dividing 
Creek, and Newport, are the principal towns. 

Fairfield was settled principally by emigrants, from the town 
in Connecticut of the same name. Its population in 1850 was 



270 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

2,133; i" i860, 2,448 ; and in 1S70, 3,011. Cedarville, Gould- 
town, and Fairton, are post towns in this township. 

Greenwich is on the Delaware. Its population in 1850 was 
1,158; in i860, 1,265; and in 1S70, 1,262. Springtown, 
Greenwich, and Buena Vista, are in this township. 

Hopewell contained a population in 1850 of 1,480; in i860, 
1,757; and in 1870, 1,857. Rosetown and Shiloh, are in this 
township, though part of the latter is in Stoe Creek township. 

Landis was created a township in 1864, from the township of 
Millville. Its population in 1870 was 7,079. The thriving town 
of Vineland is in this township. It is a place of considerable 
note, having increased greater in population than any other city 
in the state. 

Maurice river township contained in 1850, a population of 
2,245; i" i860, 2,430; and in 1870, 2,500. Manumuskin, 
Port Elizabeth, Belle Plain, and Leesburg, are post towns. 

Millville* is divided into three wards. Its population in 1S50 
was 2,332; in i860, 3,932; and in 1870, 6,101. There are 
several large glass manufactories here. 

Stoe Creek contained a population in 1850 of 1,093 > ^^"^ i860, 
1,267; and in 1870, 1,122. It forms considerable of the 
boundary between Salem and Cumberland counties. 

Sussex county was named by Governor Jonathan Belcher, after 
the seat of the Duke of New Castle, in Sussex, England. It was 
divided from Morris by act of assembly in 1753, and is bounded 
on the west and northwest by the Delaware, and partly on the south 
by the Musconetcong, and is drained by Flatkill, Paulinskill, and 
Pequest rivers. It contains an area of about six hundred square 
miles. Hopatcong lake is on the southeast border. The surface 
is undulating and hilly. Its principal mountains are the Ala- 
muche, Blue, Hamburgh, Pochuck, Wallkill, and Wawayanda. 
It contains Franklinite (a compound of iron, zinc, and man- 
ganese), red oxide of zinc, and magnetic iron ore are abundant, 
and extensively worked. Besides these, the county furnishes a 
great variety of remarkable and interesting minerals to the min- 
eralogist. Limestone is also found in the northwest part. This 

* So named from its factories or milk. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 271 

county joins New York on the northeast, and Pennsylvania on 
the west, and is the most northern county in the state. Its 
population in 1850 was 22,989; in i860, 23,846; and in 1870, 
23,168. 

Andover contains a population of 1,126. Byram is in the 
extreme southern part of the county, on Hopatcong lake, and 
contained in 1850, 1,340 inhabitants; in i860, 1,202; and in 
1870, 1,332. Frankford is near the centre, and contained in 
1850, 1,941 inhabitants; in i860, iS 28; and in 1870, 1,776. 
Greene contained in 1850, 823 inh abitants ; in i860, 1,023 > ^.nd 
in 1870, S68. Hardyston c ontained in 1850, 1,344 inhabitants; 
in i860, 1,712 ; and in 1S70, 1,668. 

Hampton contains a population of 1,023. Lafayette, is the 
most central township in the county, and contained in 1850, 928 
inhabitants; in i860, 9 19 ; and in 1870, 884. Montague is the 
most northern township, bordering on New York and Pennsyl- 
vania. It contained in 1850, 1,010 inhabitants; in i860, 983; 
and in 1870, 932. Newton contains t he town of Newton, the seat 
of justice of the county. It contained in 1850, 3,279 inhabi- 
tants; in i860, including the village, 4,098; and in 1870, 2,403. 
Sandyston, is the most western township , and borders on Penn- 
sylvania. Its population in 1850, was 1,327; in i860, 1,480; and 
in 1870, 1,230. Sparta contained in 1850, a population of 
1,919 ; in i860, 2,062 ; and in 1870, 2,032. The Wallkill moun- 
tains passes through its centre, from north to south. Stillwater, 
contained a population in 1850, of 1,742 ; in i860, 1,816 ; and 
in 1870, 1,632. In 1853 part of Newton township was added 
to Greene. In 1864, Newton to Andover, Hampton, and town 
of Newton. 

Vernon is the extreme north-easte rn township. It is extremely 
mountainous, the Pochuck, H amburgh, and Wawayanda moun- 
tains passing through its ent ire length from north to south. Its 
population in 1850 was 2 ,619; in i860, 2,190; and in 1870, 

1.979- 

Wallpack is on the western part of the county, and forms the 
boundary between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Population in 
1850, 783 ; in i860, 851 ; and in 187 o, 647. This is the smallest 
township in the county. Wantage is on the north of the county 



2 72 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

between Montague and Vernon. Population in 1850,3,934; 
in i860, 3,862; and in 1870, 3,636. 

On the 20th of November, 1824, Warren county was formed 
from Sussex. It comprised all the lower part of the county of 
Sussex, southwesterly of aline beginning on the Delaware River, 
at the mouth of Flat Brook, in the township of Wallpack, and 
running from thence a straight course to the northeast corner of 
Hardwick Church, and from thence in the same course to the 
middle of the Musconetcong creek. Population in 1830, 18,627 ; 
in 1840, 20,366; in 1850, 22,358; in i860, 28,433; ^"^ ^^ 
1870, 34,336- 

Belvidere the county town, contained in 1850, 1,001 inhabi- 
tants ; in i860, 1,530; and in 1870, 1,882. 

Blairstown township contained in 1S50, 1,405 inhabitants; in 
i860, 1,542; and in 1870, 1,379. 

Allamuchy township was formed from Independence in 1873. 
Franklin township was formed from Mansfield and Greenwich, 
and contained in 1850, 1,565 inhabitants; in i860, 1,902; and 
in 1870, 1,655. The Pohatkong mountains are in this township, 
and the Morris canal passes through it. Frelinghuysen contained 
in 1850, 1,277 inhabitants; in i860, 1,297; and in 1870, 1,113. 
Greenwich contained in 1850, 3,726 inhabitants; in i860, 2,541; 
and in 1870, 2,587. Hackettstown contained in i860, 1,351 
inhabitants, and in 1S70 2,202. Hardwick, contained in 1850, 
727 inhabitants; in i860, 792; and in 1870, 638. Harmony con- 
tained in 1850, 1,565 inhabitants; in i860, 1,382; and in 1870, 
1405. Hope contained in 1850, 1,755 inhabitants; in i860, 
1,789 ; and in 1870, 1,542. The Jenny Jump Mountains extend 
across this township. Independence contained in 1850, 2,621 
inhabitants; in i860, 1,871 ; and in 1870, 1,766. TheAllamuche 
and Jenny Jump Mountains are in this township. Knowlton, 
contained in 1850, 1,356 inhabitants; in i860, 1,557; and in 
1870, 1,691. Lopatcong contains 1,150 inhabitants. Mansfield, 
contained in 1850, 1,615 inhabitants; in i860, 1,688 ; and in 
1870, 1,997. 

Oxford contai ned in 1850, 1,718 inhabitants; in i860, 2,350; 
and in 1870, 2,952. The Scott mountain, and the celebrated 
Oxford Furnace, arc in this township. Pahaquarry, is die ex- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 273 

treme northwestern boundary, bordering on the Delaware river 
and the state of Pennsylvania. Population in 1850, 460; in 
i860, 465 ; and in 1870, 445. This is the smallest township in 
the county. Phillipsburg is on the Delaware, directly opposite 
Easton, in Pennsylvania. The city of the same name is divided 
into three wards. The population in i860 was 3,741, and in 
1870, 5>932- 

The population of Washington township in 1850 was 1,567 ; 
in i860, 2,634; and in 1870, 2,160. 

Atlantic county was erected from the eastern part of the county 
of Gloucester, February 7th, 1837. The population in 1850 
was 8,961; in i860, 11,786; and in 1870, 14,093. Atlantic 
city is situated on Absecon Beach, and contains 1,043 ii^habi- 
tants. Buena Vista is in Buena Vista township, and contains 
948 inhabitants. Egg Harbor City is between Galloway and 
Mullica townships, and contained in i860, 789 inhabitants, and 
in 1870 1,311. It is a thriving German settlement, in which 
grapes and strawberries are extensively cultivated. 

Galloway contained in i860, 2,735 inhabitants, and in 1870, 
2,860. Egg Harbor is situated on the Great Egg Harbor 
river, and contained in 1850 2,689 inhabitants, and in 1870 
3,585. Hamilton township in i860 contained a population of 
1,945, and in 1870, 1,271. Mays Landing, the capital of the 
county, is in this township, at the head of navigation on Great 
Egg Harbor river, about sixty-five miles south of Trenton. It 
consists of two parts. Mays Landing proper, and Hamilton, 
about a quarter of a mile up the river, where a dam has been 
constructed, affording fine water power. Hammonton contains 
a population of 1,404. Mullica contained in 1850 a population 
of 2,933; i'^ i860, 1,600; and in 1870, 2,265. Weymouth is 
the most southern township, on the Great Egg Harbor river. 
The population in 1850 was 1,032 ; in i860, 823 ; and in 1870, 
810. This is now the smallest township in the county, having 
been curtailed in forming other townships. 

Buena Vista township was formed from Hamilton in 1867 ; 
population 948, and contains the towns of Germantown, Lan- 
disville, and Buena Vista; the latter contains 948 inhabitants. 

Passaic county was formed from Essex and Bergen counties, 

s 



2 74 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

February 7th, 1S37. Its population in 1850 was 22,569 ; in 
i860, 29,013; and in 1870, 46,416. 

Acquackanonck in 1850 contained a population of 2,931 ; in 
i860, 3,235 ; and in 1870, 4,368. The Morris canal runs 
through this township. Little Falls contains a population of 
1,282. 

Manchester contained a population in 1850 of 2,788; in i860, 
(when the city of Paterson was not included) 842 ; and in 1870, 
1,166. Paterson city is the capitol of the county. It is situated 
on the right bank of the Passaic river, immediately below the 
falls. In the extent of its manufactures, it ranks as the second 
city in the state, and is the third in population. By means of 
the Morris canal, it communicates with the Atlantic ports and 
with the Delaware river. By means of the Erie railway, it 
communicates with the entire west. Paterson is handsomely 
laid out, and the scenery in the vicinity of the falls is highly 
picturesque. There are a large number of cotton mills here, as 
also silk mills, which are situated near the falls, and are the most 
extensive in the United States. They employ about seven hun- 
dred hands, and manufacture weekly sixteen hundred pounds of 
silk. There are also two locomotive manufactories, and several 
mills for the manufacture of carriages, guns, machinery, paper, 
and other articles. Paterson was founded in 1791, by an incor- 
porated company, with a capital of one million dollars, the 
object of which was to manufacture cotton cloth. The move- 
ment was, however, found to be premature, and was abandoned 
in 1796. The population in 1840 was 7,596; in 1850, 11,334; 
in 1S60, 19,588 ; and in 1870, 33,579- The city has nine wards. 

Pompton contained a population in 1850 of 1,720 ; in i860, 
1,591 ; and in 1870, 1,840. Wayne contained a population in 
1S50 of 1,162 ; in i860, 1,355 j ^^^ ^^ 1870, 1,521. AVest 
Milford is the most northerly and westerly township of the coun. 
ty, and contained in 1850, a population of 2,624; ^^^ i860, 
2,402 ; and in 1870, 2,660. The Bear Foot Mountains extends 
through the western part of the township. Little Falls town- 
ship was formed from Acquackanonck in 1868, population 1,282' 

Mercer county was erected February 22, 1838, from Hunter- 
don, Burlington, Somerset, and Middlesex. It was named in 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 275 

honor of Gen. Hugh Mercer, who fell at the battle of Princeton, 
January 3, 1777. The population in 1850, was 27,992 ; in i860, 
37,419 ; and in 1870, 46,386. East Windsor contained a popu- 
lation in 1850, of 2,596; in i860, 1,913; and in 1870, 2,383* 
The Borough of Hightstown is in this township, and has a popu- 
lation of 1,347. The Baptists have here a handsome flourishing 
educational institute. 

Ewing township contained in 1850, 1,480 inhabitants; in 
i860, 2,979; and in 1870, 2,477. The State Lunatic Asylum 
is located in this township. Hamilton township, contained in 
1850, 2,807 inhabitants; in i860, 3,773; and in 1870, 5,417. 
The Soldier's Children's Home is located in this township. It 
also contains the thriving borough of Chambersburg. Hope- 
well contained in 1850, 3,698 inhabitants; in i860, 3,900 ; and 
in 1870, 4,276. At Pennington, in this township, are two Semi- 
naries of learning, one under the auspices of the New Jersey 
Conference of the Methodist Church, and the other conducted 
and owned by Prof. A. P. Lasher, both of which are excellent 
educational institutions. Lawrence, in 1850, contained a popu" 
lation of 1,838; in i860, 2,024; and in 1870, 2,251. At the 
village of Lawrenceville, in this township, are two superior 
Seminaries of learning, one for males, conducted by the Rev. 
Samuel M. Hamel, D. D., and the other for females, by the 
Rev. Charles Nassau, D. D. Millham contained in 1870, 677 
inhabitants. Princeton township contained a population in 
1850, of 3,021 ; in i860, 3,726; and in 1870, 3,986. The 
Borough of Princeton contained in 1870, 2,798 inhabitants. 
At this place is the College of New Jersey, called Nassau Hall, 
which was incorporated in 1746, and erected in 1757, also a 
Theological Seminary, for the education of young men for the 
ministry. In 1856, Nottingham township was merged in Tren- 
ton and Hamilton, and in 1859, Washington township was formed 
from East Windsor. 

Trenton the capitol of the State, as well as the seat of justice 
of the county of Mercer, is beautifully located on the east bank 
of the Delaware, at the head of tide navigation. 

Here is located the State Capitol, built in 1793, enlarged in 
1845 and 1865, and again in 1871. The State Prison, State 



276 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Arsenal, State Normal and Model schools are also located here. 
The city has 7 wards. Its population in 1850, was 6,461 ; in 
i860, 17,228; and in 1870, 22,874. Washington contained in 
i86o, a population of 1,279 ; and in 1870, 1,294. West Wind- 
sor, contained a population in 1850, of 1,596; in i860, 1,497 ; 
and in 1870, 1,428. 

Hudson county was erected from the southeasterly part of 
Bergen county, February 22, 1840. This is the smallest county 
in area in the state, containing only 75 square miles, though the 
second in population, and is therefore more compact than any 
other in the state. Its population in 1S50 was, 21,822 ; in i860, 
62,717; and in 1870, 129,067; having more than doubled in 
ten years. Bayonne City, contains a population of 3,834. 
Greenville contains a population of 2,789. Harrison in 1S50, 
contained a population of 1,345 ; in i860, 2,556; and in 1870, 
2,789. Hoboken contained a population of 2,668 in 1850; in 
1860,9,659; and in 1870, 20,297. In the city of Hoboken 
are the celebrated Elysian Fields, a place of great resort for the 
denizens of New York City and other places, being opposite to 
that city, and about two miles north of Jersey City. It has ex- 
tensive establishments for the construction of steamers. Several 
steam ferries connect it with New York city. The scenery in 
the vicinity of the Elysian Fields is delightful, and it is one of 
the most pleasant spots that can be conceived for the denizens 
of a crowded city. 

It is divided into four wards, and has more than doubled in 
population in ten years. This place was the residence of Edwin 
A. Stevens, Esq., a wealthy citizen, who projected and built the 
celebrated steam vessel known as Stevens* Battery. Tiiis battery 
cost Mr. Stevens about two million dollars, and was not com- 
pleted at the time he was removed by death, he however, made 
ample provision for his executors to complete the same, and pre- 
sent it to the state. The executors in connection with governor 
Randolph, appointed Major General Ceorge B. McClellan, and 
Captain Newton of New York, two of the most celebrated en- 
gineers of the country to complete it, in accordance with the 
will of Mr. Stevens, by which the highest intelligence and skill 
was procured to accomplish the object. On the 2 2d of March 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 277 

1869, Governor Theodore Randolph, set the above facts forth, 
in a special message to the legislature, and used the following 
appropriate language: "A donation of such a magnificent 
character from a private citizen whose name and reputation have 
been connected with almost every important public enterprise in 
the state, and whose skill, industry and ingenuity have given an 
especial usefulness to unusual wealth, should receive from the 
legislature a recognition fitted to the reputation of the donor 
and the munificence of the gift. 

"Agreeing with the executors as to the propriety of naming 
some persons who shall be authorized to confer, as to the proba- 
ble disposition of the ship, and as to the details of her comple- 
tion, I will be glad to put myself in communication with the 
executors as to the persons most acceptable to them and benefi- 
cial to the state, not exceeding three in number, as I would 
recommend. 

" I would suggest that the persons thus appointed by the state 
be authorized to fully confer and advise with the executors as to 
the mode of completing the Battery, and with the concurrence 
of this department enter upon such negotiations as to its ultimate 
disposition as they may deem proper and the legislature here- 
after sanction." 

On the ist of April, 1869, in accordance with the above mes- 
sage the legislature passed a joint resolution accepting the ves- 
sel when the same should be finished pursuant to the will, and 
authorizing the governor to appoint three suitable persons as 
commissioners to hold their offices until said battery shall be 
finished. These commissioners together with the governor, 
were empowered by majority vote, to determine to what use the 
said vessel should be devoted, to inform the executors of 
such determination, to advise with them as to the details of 
the completion of the same, and to negotiate for the disposition 
of said vessel when finished and delivered to the state. The 
governor and commissioners were annually, or oftener if re- 
quired, to report to the legislature their proceedings under the 
resolution, and no contract or agreement for the sale or final dis- 
position of the same was to be valid, until reported to, and rati- 
fied by the legislature. The executors of Mr. Stevens were, 
W. W. Shippen, S. B. Donald, and M. B. Stevens. 



278 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

March 21st, 1871, the legislature passed a joint resolution aud 
thorizing the commissioners to sell for the largest sum that coul- 
be obtained, the interest of the state in said Stevens' Battery, 
with the consent of the governor and chief justice of the state. 

Jersey City is divided into sixteen wards, and contained in 
1850, a population of 6,856; in i860, 29,226; and in 1870, 
82,546, The population of this city has increased with wonder, 
ful rapidity, having more than trebled within the last decade. 

On the 2d of April, 1869, the legislature passed an act con- 
solidating the cities of Jersey City, Hudson City, Hoboken, 
Bergen, the town of Union, and the townships of North Bergen, 
Union, West Hoboken, Greenville, Bayonne, and Weehawken 
and part of the township of Kearney, into one city, to be called 
the City of Jersey City, subject however to a ratification by the 
people at an election to be held in each place, on the first Tues- 
day of October of that year. At the election held pursuant to 
that act, Jersey City, Hudson City and Bergen, voted in favor, 
and by the act approved March 17th, 1870, the consolidation 
was perfected. At the election held in 1872, the township of 
Greenville voted to come in, and in 1873, ^^ ^^^ ^^^ passed to 
that effect. North Bergen in 1850 contained a population of 
3,578; in i860, 6,355; ^^^ ^^ 1870, 3,032. The town of 
Union contains a population of 4,640. Union township con- 
tains a population of 6, 737. Weehawken contained a population 
in i860, of 280; and in 1870, 597. West Hoboken contains a 
population of 4,132. Weehawken township was formed from 
Hoboken and North Bergen, in 1859 ; Bayonne from North 
Bergen, and West Hoboken, from North Bergen, in 1861 ; 
Greenville from Bergen in 1863 ; Kearney from Harrison, and 
Union from North Bergen, in 1867. 

Camden county was erected from Gloucester, March 13th, 
1844, and contained in 1850, 25,422 inhabitants; in i860, 
34,457 ; and in 1870, 46,193. The city of Camden contained 
in 1850, 9,479 inhabitants; in 1S60, 14,358; and in 1870, 
20,045. This city is divided into eight wards. 

Center township contained in i860 1,305 inhabitants, and in 
1870,1,718. Delaware in 1850, contained 2,577 inhabitants; 
in i860, 1,602; and in 1S70, 1,625. Gloucester city contained 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 279 

a population in 1850, of 2,188; in i860, 2,320; and in 1870, 
3,682. 

Gloucester township had a population in 1850, of 2,371 ; in 
i860, 2,320; and in 1870, 2,710. Haddon contained a popu- 
lation in 1S70 of 1,926. Haddonfield contained a population 
in 1870 of 1,075. 

Monroe contained in 1S60 a population of 1,417, and in 1870 
1,663. Washington contained in 1850, a population of 2,114; 
in i860, 1,307; and in 1870, 1,567. These two townships were 
set off from Camden county and annexed to Gloucester, Febru- 
ary 28th, 1871. 

4 Newton contained a population in 1850, of 14,087 ; in i860, 
18,413 ; these included Camden city, but in 1870, the township, 
exclusive of the city, contained a population of 8,437. 

Stockton contained in i860 a population of 1,473, ^"d in 
1870 2,381. Merchantville contained in 1S70, 245 inhabitants. 

Waterford contained in 1850, 1,638 inhabitants; in 1S60, 
1,955; and in 1S70, 2,071. 

Winslow contained in 1S50, 1,540 inhabitants; in i860, 
1,800; and in 1870, 2,050. 

Stockton was set off from Delaware in 1S59, the same year 
Monroe was set off from Washington, and parts of Gloucester 
and Winslow were annexed to Waterford. Center was formed 
from Union in 1855 > Haddon from Newton in 1865. In 1S66, 
Union was merged into Center, and in 1871, part of Newton 
was annexed to Haddon. 

The surface of Camden county is mostly level. The soil in 
the east part is sandy, and in the west it is a fertile loam, pro- 
ducing great quantities of fruit and vegetables for the Philadel- 
phia markets. Marl is abundant in most parts of the county. 
The inhabitants in the eastern part are principally engaged in 
the manufacture of iron and glass. 

Camden city, the seat of justice of the county, is situated on 
the left bank of the Delaware river, immediately opposite. Phil- 
adelphia, with which it is connected by means of steam ferries. 
It is the western termination of the Amboy division of the 
Pennsylvania ; also the Camden and Atlantic, and West Jersey 
Railroads. The city is regularly laid out, with streets intersecting 
each other at right angles,and contains many handsome dwellings. 



28o HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Ocean county was erected February 15, 1850, from the south- 
ern townships of Monmouth county, including Plumstead, Jack- 
son, Dover, Union, Stafford, and about one third of Howell 
township; population in 1850, 10,032; in i860, 11,176; and in 
1S70, 13,628. Brick township contained in 1850, 1,558 inhabi- 
tants ; in i860, 1,385; and in 1870, 2,724. Dover contained 
in 1850, 2,385 inhabitants; in 1S60, 2,378; and in 1870, 
3,044. Toms River,* the seat of justice of the county is located 
on the river of the same name, at the head of navigation, about 
forty miles from Trenton. Jackson is in the northern part of 
the county, and contained in 1850, 1,333 inhabitants; in i860, 
1,606; and in 1870, 1,755. Manchester contained in 1870, 
1,103 inhabitants. Plumstead contained in 1S50, 1,613 inhabi- 
tants; in 1S60, 2,003; ^^'^^ iri 1870, 1,566. Stafford contained 
in 1850, 1,384; in i860, 1,436; and in 1870, 1,514 inhabitants. 
Union contained 1850, 1,759 inhabitants; in i860, 1,918; and 
in 1870, 1,923. Mannahawkinsville contained in 1870, 689 in- 
habitants. Manchaster was formed from Dover in 1865; and 
Eatontown township from Ocean and Shrewsbury in 1873. 

Union county was formed from the southern part of Essex 
county, March 19, 1857, and comprised the townships of New 
Providence, Springfield, Union, Elizabeth, Westfield, Plainfield, 
Rahway and Rahway City, and on the i6th of February, i860, 
the lines were altered by the annexation of a part of the town- 
ship of Woodbridge, in Middlesex county. Its population in 
i860 was 27,780 ; and in 1S70, 41,859. Clark township con- 
tained in 1870, 331 inhabitants. It was formed from the city of 
Rahway in 1864. Cranford township was formed from Westfield, 
Springfield, Linden and Clark, in 1871. The village of Cran- 
ford, formerly Craneville, from one of its early settlers by the 
name of Crane, is a. beautiful and thriving place, with a number 

* Toms River derived its name from William Tomm, a man of considerable 
importance at that day, and who owned a large amount of property on the 
river now bearing his name. In the early days of the province, courts were 
not established in each county as we have them now, but men were transported 
even into another state to be tried. William Tomm was clerk of the court of 
Uppland, now Chester, in Pennsylvania, and was one of the Swedish emigrants 
who came over at an early day. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 281 

of handsome residences, principally occupied by persons en- 
gaged in business in New York. 

Elizabeth is one of the most thriving cities m the state. Large 
sums of money have been expended in paving and improving 
their streets, and it contains many handsome residences. It is 
one of the oldest cities in the state, the older portion being 
poorly laid out, the streets irregular, which was the case with all 
the older cities in the state. It was named from Lady Elizabeth 
Carteret, wife of Sir George Carteret. It was at one time the 
capitol and principal town of the state, and has long been cele- 
brated for its excellent schools, and for its intelligent and polite 
society. It was settled in 1665, and received its act of incorpo- 
ration as the borough of Elizabeth, February 8th, 1739, in the 
thirteenth year of the reign of George II. It was the third 
settlement made in the state, and the first by the English. The 
lands were purchased from the Indians residing on Staten Island 
in 1664, by John Bailey, Daniel Denton, and Luke Watson, of 
Jamaica, Long Island. 

For many years after the settlement of the province, Elizabeth 
was the largest and most flourishing place in it. All the public 
offices were here, as well as the residences of most of the officers 
of the government. The first general assembly met here in 
1668, and with few exceptions, they continued their meetings 
here until 1682. The first inhabitants of the town were com- 
posed of emigrants from England, Scotland, New England, and 
Long Island. The first Presbyterian church is the oldest in the 
state, having been organized in 1666. The college of New 
Jersey, the most flourishing in the Union, was commenced in 
this town, and afterwards removed to Princeton, its present 
location. Elizabeth is comprised in eight wards. Its popula- 
tion in i860, was 11,567, and in 1S70, 20,83-2, nearly doubling 
itself in ten years. 

Linden had a population in 1870 of 1,396. New Providence 
in i860 had a population of 1,308, and in 1870, 934. Plainfield 
in 1S60, had a population of 3,194, and in 1870, 5,095. Rahway 
is divided into four wards. In i860 the population was 7,130, 
and in 1870, 6,258. This diminution is caused by the formation 
of Clark and Linden townships. Springfield had a population 
in i860 of 1,020, and in 1870, 770. 



282 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 



Summit was formed from New Providence and Springfield 
townships in 1869, and in 1870 had a population of 1,176. 
Union had a population in i860 of 1,812, and in 1S70, 2,314. 
Westfield had a population in 1S60 of 1,719, and in 1870, 2,753. 

The State of New Jersey contains twenty-one counties, and 
two hundred and fifty-nine townships, in which are included 
forty-five cities, towns and boroughs, numbering from five hun- 
dred to over a hundred thousand inhabitants. It was one of the 
original thirteen states, and is separated from New York by the 
Hudson river, and from Pennsylvania by the Delaware. 

It lies between about 38° 44' and 41° 21' north latitude, and 
between 74 and 75° 20^ west longitude, being about 168 miles 
in extreme length from north to south, and from 37 to 70 miles 
in breadth, including an area of 7,576 square miles, or 4,849,- 
690 acres of land, of which 1,976,474 are improved; 718,335 
are woodland ; and the balance is other unimproved land. 

The southern and middle portions are mostly flat and sandy, 
but in the north it becomes hilly, and even rises into low moun- 
tains. Some ridges of the Alleghany range cross from Pennsyl- 
vania, in a northeast direction, into New York, bearing in New 
Jersey the local names of Schooley's Mountain, Trowbridge, 
Ramapo, and Second Mountains. The Blue Mountains cross 
the extreme northwest portion of the state. Below Raritan bay 
is a group of hills of from three hundred to four hundred 
feet high, called Nevisink Hills, washed by an inlet from 
Raritan Bay, commanding a wide sweep of ocean, and furnishing 
a beacon to mariners, to whom they are generally the first and last 
seen of the shore of New Jersey, on their voyages in and out of 
the port of New York, A range of trap rock, varying from two 
hundred to five hundred feet high, and known as the Palisades, 
coasts the Hudson for twenty miles on the northeast of the state. 
The shores of the Atlantic south of Sandy Hook are lined with 
a series of inlets and islands, which are constantly changing. 
The country for some distance back is generally marshy or 
sandy. 

Washed by the Delaware river and bay on the west and south, 
and by the Hudson river and the Atlantic ocean on the east, 
New Jersey forms a sort of a peninsula, so to speak. Were it 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 283 

not that its trade is monopolized by New York and Philadelphia, 
New Jersey has great advantages in position for a commercial 
state. The Delaware is navigable one hundred and twenty miles 
from the sea for ocean craft of a smaller kind, and for ships for 
ninety-six miles ; while on the Atlantic side, for more than half 
its extent, there are numerous inlets and lagoons admitting 
smaller vessels; and on the northeast, Raritan and Newark bays, 
and Hudson river, are accessible to vessels of heavy tonnage ; 
so that there is nothing but the circumstances above mentioned 
to prevent our state becoming a great entrepot of foreign and 
coasting trade. Besides the rivers mentioned as laving the shores 
of the state, are a number of smaller streams traversing the in- 
terior ; the most important of which are the Passaic and Hacken- 
sack, emptying into Newark bay, in the northeast; Raritan 
river, draining the northern and central portions, and pouring 
its waters- into the bay of the same name ; Maurice river, in the 
southwest discharging itself into Delaware bay, and Great Egg 
Harbor river, emptying directly into the Atlantic ocean. 
These are severally navigable for coasters, in the order named, 
ten, fifteen, seventeen, and the last two twenty miles each. 
Raritan bay and Arthurkill sound cut off Staten Island from 
New Jersey. This island politically belongs to New York, but 
by position, to New Jersey. There are a number of low sandy 
islands along the Atlantic, cut off from the mainland by lagoons. 
These are generally unfertile and of little value. 

The Atlantic shores of New Jersey are renowned the world 
over for their sea bathing resorts. The most important of these 
is Cape May, at its southern extremity, which is probably more 
frequented than any bathing place in America. Its beach slopes 
gradually, and being covered with a fine, hard, white sand, forms 
a delightful promenade and drive when the tide is out. Here 
are about twenty hotels, capable of receiving from two hundred 
to two thousand guests each ; besides smaller hotels and board- 
ing-houses without number. Long Branch, a few miles below 
Sandy Hook, ranks next in number of its visitors ; but Deal, 
Squan Beach, aud Tuckerton are also much frequented. Brown's 
Mills, twenty miles east of Burlington, situated among the pines, 
is considered particularly beneficial to consumptive patients. 



284 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

New Jersey shares with Pennsylvania another still more inter- 
esting object in the passage of the Delaware through the Blue 
Mountains — generally called the Delaware Water Gap, where the 
river breaks through the mountains, in a gorge about two miles 
in length, walled in by precipices from twelve hundred to sixteen 
hundred feet in height, scarcely leaving space for a road between 
their base and the water. 

In Warren county, fifteen miles north of Belvidere, there is a 
small mountain lake, perhaps two miles in circumference, at an 
elevation it is said, of near fourteen hundred feet above the level 
of the Delaware river. It is known to be very deep and plenti- 
fully abounds with fish of various kinds. The lake seems to lie 
almost on the summit of the mountain, and from its immediate 
vicinity is obtained a magnificent view of the river below, and 
of the surrounding country for a distance of many miles. 

Weehawken heights, near Hoboken, (the commencement of 
the celebrated Palisades,) are the termination of such a prome- 
nade as is seldom offered in the vicinity of any great capitol. 
They command a near view of New York City and Harlem, and 
a more remote one of Staten Island and the Narrows, through 
which may be caught a faint glimpse of the ocean. 

It may be noticed that the population in many townships seems 
to be depreciating, which is not the case, as the difference in 
population is caused by the frequent changing of township lines. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

1702— 1743. 

The proprietors cedes to the croiun their rights of jurisdiction — 
Lands purchased from the Indians — Population — Habits of the 
people — Release of Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret — 
Consideration money — Courts^ Taxes — Naturalization — First 
Legislature — Punishment of Witches — Trading with the Indians 
Prohibited — Drunkenness — Schools. 

THE proprietaries of New Jersey, wearied out with strug- 
gling with the settlers, in the year 1 702, ceded to the crown 
their rights of jurisdiction, upon which Queen Anne joined 
New Jersey to New York, under the government of Lord Corn- 
bury. The inhabitants of this state, as well as New York, 
resisted the encroachments of the fraudulent acts of the governor, 
and in the year 1738, New Jersey petitioned for and obtained a 
governor of their own, in the person of Lewis Morris. The 
position of New Jersey gave it superior advantages from depra- 
dations by the Indians, as its policy always was to do no act 
that would have a tendency to exasperate that warlike people ; 
besides, they were always paid for their lands, and could not 
bring that up as an excuse for any inroads or assaults upon the 
people of that province. Consequently, the progress of our 
state was steadily forward, although serious disputes arose in 
regard to paper money, conveyances of lands to certain claimants 
by the Indians, the resistance made by squatters to dispossess 
them of their lands, and other annoying and hostile acts, yet 
knowing they were in the right, pursued a straight forward 
course, and were in the end successful. 

After the death of Morris, in 1745, Belcher took charge of the 
difficult post as governor in 1747, but he was not able to manage 
affairs much better than those who had preceded him. He 



286 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

adopted a conciliatory course in all matters relating to his admin- 
istration, and favored the founding of the college now located 
at Princeton. 

The state at this time had a population of about 40,000. In 
1738, the population had increased to 47,367, of which number 
about 4,000 were slaves. Dutch manners and habits prevailed 
to a considerable extent throughout the province, although it 
was evident that English and French tastes were predominant. 
The citizens were lively and sociable in manners, and had their 
weekly evening clubs, and in winter their balls and concerts, in 
the cities. Their stoops (or porches) were furnished with side 
seats, which, in the evenings, were well filled with the inmates, 
old and young of both sexes, who met to gossip or to court, 
while the cattle wandered about the streets of the then rustic 
cities. 

The habits of the people at that early day were of so sociable 
a nature, that whole neighborhoods would congregate together 
in the summer evenings upon their large stoops for social con- 
versation. The mode of building their houses was with the 
angular zigzag gables fronting the streets, with long projecting 
gutters, which discharged their unsavory currents of dirty water 
or melted snows upon the heads of the unwary passer-by. In 
the interior of their dwellings, Dutch cleanliness, order, and 
economy prevailed. Their kitchens were usually distinguished 
by the old-fashioned fire-place, extending across their entire 
width, taking in logs of wood four feet in length, and leaving 
room for the grandfather and grandmother to indulge their pipe 
and mug of cider in the long winter evenings. They lived too 
with exemplary sobriety, breakfasting on tea without milk, and 
sweetened by a small piece of sugar passed round from one to 
the other. They dined on buttermilk and bread, and if to that 
they added sugar, it was deeme d delicious, and sometimes they 
indulged in broiled and roasted meats. The use of stoves was 
unknown, and the huge fire-places above mentioned, through 
which one might almost have driven a wagon, were furnished with 
ample logs, and were grand and cozy nestling places during 
the long winter evenings, amid the wail of the snow storms and 
the roar of the forest trees. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 2S7 

The general prosperity of this colony was proverbial, which 
was doubtless due to the virtuous and industrious character and 
habits of our people. Under the English the same simplicity of 
habits long prevailed, amid which was true enjoyment, of most 
of which our people have been deprived by the modern habits 
now prevailing. In those days honesty of purpose characterized 
the people. One man did not consider himself better than his 
neighbor on account of his worldly possessions, but all were on 
an equality. The population of the state in 1750 was about 
seventy thousand. 

William Franklin, son of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, succeeded 
Gov. Josiah Hardy, in 1763, and was the last royal governor. 
The same year a treaty of peace was consummated between Great 
Britain and France, whereby Canada was ceded to the British 
King. To effect this purpose, William Pitt, the prime minister 
of England, called upon the colonial governments on this conti- 
nent to aid in destroying the power of the French in America. 

The quota of men called for from this state was five hundred, 
which was not only furnished cheerfully, but the number was 
doubled, and in order that they might be raised speedily, a 
bounty of twelve pounds per man was offered, the pay of the 
officers was increased, and the sum of fifty thousand pounds was 
voted to maintain the army. The legislature also directed the 
erection of barracks at Trenton, Burlington, Elizabeth, New 
Brunswick, and Amboy. This complement of one thousand 
men was kept up by the state, during the years 1758, 1759, and 
1 760, and in the two succeeding years they furnished six hun- 
dred men, in addition to which, in 1762, they raised a company 
of sixty-four 'men and officers, designed especially for garrison 
duty, which cost the state an average of forty thousand pounds 
per annum. Thus they showed their loyalty to the home govern- 
ment, in the readiness to obey the just commands which ema- 
nated from Great Britain, and the same spirit was manifest 
during the entire time they acknowledged the right of that king- 
dom to govern, and until they resolved, in consequence of its 
despotic powers, to set up a government for themselves indepen- 
dent of Great Britain. 

On the ist day of July, 1676, New Jersey was divided into 



288 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

two sections, called East and West New Jersey, Sir George 
Carteret receiving for his share the easterly section, extending 
eastward and northward along the sea coast and Hudson's river, 
from the east side of a certain place or harbor lying on the 
southern part of the same tract of land, and commonly called or 
known in a map of the said tract of land by the name of Little 
Egg Harbor, and William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, and Nicholas 
Lucas, their heirs and assigns, receiving in severalty as their full 
part, share, and portion of the said tract of land, in trust for 
the benefit of Edward Byllinge, as the said undivided moiety was 
subject, and to be from henceforth called and distinguished by 
the name of West New Jersey ; all that western part, share, and 
portion of the said tract of land and premises lying on the west 
side, and westward of the aforesaid straight and direct line drawn 
through the said premises from north to south, for and in 
consideration of five shillings to them, the said William Penn, 
Gawen Lawrie, Nicholas Lucas, and Edward Byllinge, in hand 
paid by the said Sir George Carteret, the receipt whereof they 
do here respectively acknowledge, the said Edward Byllinge and 
they, the said William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, and Nicholas Lucas, 
by and with the consent, direction, and appointment of the said 
Edward Byllinge, testified by his being a party hereunto, and by 
his sealing and executing of these presents. 

This westerly part, share, and portion of the said tract of land 
and premises were, by the consent and agreement of the parties, 
called by the name of West Jersey, and was all that and only 
all that part, share, and portion of the said tract of land and 
premises conveyed by his said Royal Highness, as lieth extended 
westward, or southward from the west side of the line of said 
partition, on the Delaware river, and extending to Egg Harbor. 

The first general assembly of the state met at Elizabethtown 
on the 26th day of May, 1668. 

Hon. Philip Carteret, governor. 

The council consisted of Capt. Nicholas Verlet, Daniel Pierce, 
Robert Bond, Samuel Edsall, Robert Vanquellin, William Par- 
don ; James Bollen, secretary. 

The burgesses consisted of Gasper Stenmetts, Baltazer Bayard, 
for Bergen; John Ogden, John Bracket, for Elizabethtown ; 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 289 

Capt. Robert Treat, Samuel Svvarne, for Newark, tipo7i Pisha- 
wach river; John Bishop, Robert Dennes, for Woodbridge ; 
James Grover, John 'Qouxid, for Middletown and Shrczvsbury. 

The following is an abstract of the laws passed at this first 
session of the provincial legislature : 

"For resisting the authority established by the lords propri- 
etors, as the governor, justices, or any other inferior officers, 
either in words or actions, fine or corporal punishment, as the 
court shall judge, upon due examination. 

" Every male from sixteen years and upwards, to the age of 
sixty years, shall be furnished, at their own cost and charges, 
with good and sufficient arms, and constantly maintain the same, 
viz., a good serviceable gun well fixed, one pound of good pow- 
der, four pounds of pistol bullets, or twenty-four bullets suited 
to the gun, a pair of bandoleers, or a good horn, and a sword 
and belt ; and if any person or persons shall willfully neglect 
and not provide himself according to this act, within one month 
after publication thereof, he shall pay one shilling for the first 
week's neglect, and for the next week's neglect, and so for every 
week after, the sum of two shillings, by way of fine, to be levied 
upon his or their goods and chattels." 

In the capital laws, it is enacted : 

"That if any person or persons shall maliciously, wittingly, or 
willingly set on fire any dwelling-house, out-house, store-house, 
barn or stable, or any other kind of house or houses, corn, hay, 
fencing, wood, flax, or any other combustible matter, to the 
prejudice and damage of his neighbor, or any other person or 
persons whatsoever, he or they shall be committed to prison with- 
out bail or mainprize, and make full satisfaction; and if he or 
they are not able to make satisfaction for the damages sustained 
by such willful and malicious act, then to stand to the mercy of 
the court whether to be tried for life or to suffer some other cor- 
poral punishment, as the court shall judge, all circumstances 
being first duly examined and considered of. 

"If any person or persons shall willingly and maliciously rise 
up to bear false witness, or purpose to take away a man's life, 
they shall be put to death. 



290 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

" If any man shall willfully or forcibly steal away any man- 
kind, he shall be put to death. 

" If any person within this province shall commit burglary, by 
breaking open any dwelling-house, store-house, ware-house, out- 
house or barn, or any other house whatsoever, or that shall rob 
any person in the field or highways, he or they so offending 
shall, for the first offence, be punished by being burnt in the hand 
by the letter T, and make full satisfaction of the goods stolen, 
or the damages that are done ; and for the second time of 
offending in the like nature, besides the making of restitution, 
to be branded in the forehead with the letter R. And for the 
third offence, to be put to death as incorrigible. 

"And for stealing goods, money, or cattle, or any other beast 
of what kind soever, to make treble restitution for the first offence, 
and the like for the second and third offence, with such further 
increase of punishment as the court shall see cause ; and if 
incorrigible, to be punished with death. And in case they are 
not able to make restitution for the first, second, and third 
offences, they shall be sold, that satisfaction may be made. 

" If any person be found to be a witch, either male or female, 
they shall be put to death. 

" If any child or children above sixteen years of age, and of 
sufiicient understanding, shall smite or curse their natural father 
or mother, except provoked thereunto, and forced for their safe 
preservation from death or maiming, upon the complaint or 
proof of the said father or mother, or either of them, (and not 
otherwise), they shall be put to death. 

" If any person or persons shall be abroad from the usual place 
of their abode, and found in night-walking, drinking in any 
tap-house, or any other house or place at unseasonable times, 
after nine of the clock at night, and not about their lawful 
occasions, or cannot give a good account of their being absent 
from their own place of abode at that time of the night, if 
required of them, he or they shall be secured by the constable 
or some other officer, till the morning, to be brought before a 
justice of the peace or magistrate, to be examined, and if they 
cannot give them a satisfactory account of their be ing out at such 
unseasonable times, he or they shall be bound over to the next 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 291 

court, and receive such punishment as the justices upon the 
bench shall see cause to inflict upon them. 

"That a rate of thirty pounds be levied upon the country for 
the defraying of public charges, and this rate equally propor- 
tioned to each town. That is to say, five pounds for each town, 
to be paid in manner as followeth : winter wheat at five shillings 
a bushel ; summer wheat at four shillings and sixpence ; peas at 
three shillings and sixpence ; Indian corn at three shillings ; rye 
at four shillings ; barley at four shillings ; beef at two-pence half- 
penny; pork at three pence half-penny a pound; and this rate 
to be paid at or before the next general court, into the hands 
and custody of Mr. Jacob Mollins, of Elizabethtown, which we 
desire of him to take into his hands for the use of the province, 
and when received, to disburse and pay to Capt. Bollen the 
sum of twenty pounds, and the rest as he shall have order to 
improve for our use." 

In order to prevent unlawful marriages, it was ordered that 
"no person or persons, son, daughter, maid or servant, shall be 
married without the consent of his or her parents, masters, or 
overseers, and three times published in and at some public meet- 
ing or kirk, where the party or parties have their most usual 
abode, or set up in writing their purposes of marriage on some 
public house where they live, and there at least to abide for the 
space of fourteen days before marriage, which is to be performed 
in some public place, if possible may be, and none but some 
approved minister or justice of the peace within this province, or 
some public officer, where such are not, shall be allowed to marry 
or admit of any to join in marriage, in their presence, and under 
the penalty of twenty pounds for acting contrary hereunto, and 
to be put out of their office, according to the liberty of conscience 
granted by the lords proprietors in their concessions." 

The governor had power to grant his license, under his hand 
and seal, " to any person or persons that are at their own dispos- 
ing, or to any other under the tuition of their parents, masters, 
or overseers, to join in matrimony ; provided that the parents, 
masters, or overseers, are present and consenting thereunto, or 
that their consent be attested by some public officer, and 



a92 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

presented to the governor before the granting thereof, and the 
others to clear themselves by oath or certificate.* 

*' That every apprentice and servant that shall depart and 
absent themselves from their masters or dames, without leave 
first obtained, shall be judged by the court to double the time 
of such their absence, by future service over and above other 
damages and costs which master and dame shall sustain by such 
unlawful departure. 

" Any one having been proved to have transported, or to have 
contrived the transportation of any such apprentice or servant, 
shall be fined five pounds, and all such damages as the court 
shall judge, and that the master or dame can make appear, and 
if not able, to be left to the judgment of the court. 

" Every inhabitant that shall harbor or entertain any such 
apprentice or servant, and knowing that he hath absented 
himself from his service, upon proof thereof, shall forfeit to the 
master or dame, ten shillings for every day's entertainment or 
concealment, and if not able to satisfy, then to be liable to the 
judgment of the court. 

* The following is a copy of a certificate given by Governor Franklin : 
By His Excellency William Franklin, Esq., Captain-General and Governor in 

Chief and over His Majesty's Province of New Jersey, and Territories 

thereon depending in America. 
To any minister or justice of the peace : 

Whereas, by a mutual Purpose of Marriage between Samuel Opdyke, of 
the Township of Amwell, and County of Hunterdon, of the one Party, and 
Susannah Robertson, of the same place of the other Party, of which they have 
desired my License, and have given Bond, upon condition that neither of them 
have any lawful Let or Impediment, Pre-Contract, Aflinity, or Consanguinity, 
to their being joined in the Holy Bands of Matrimony. These are therefore 
to authorize and impower you to join the said Samuel Opdyke and Susannah 
Robertson in the Holy Bands of Matrimony, and then to pronounce them 
Man and Wife. 
Given under my Hand and the Prrerogative Seal, at Burlington, the Seventh 

Day of December, in the Sixteenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign 

Lord GEORGE the Third, by the Grace of GOD of Great-Britain, France 

and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Annoque Domini One 

Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-Five. 

Entered in the Registry of the Praerogative Office, 

Wm. Franklin. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 293 

*' Concerning that beastly vice, drunkenness, it is hereby- 
enacted, that if any person be found to be drunk, he shall pay one 
shilling fine for the first time, two shillings for the second, and for 
the third time, and for every time after two shillings and six- 
pence ; and such as have nothing to pay, shall suffer corporal pun- 
ishment, and for those that are unruly and disturbers of the peace, 
they shall be put in the stocks until they are sober, or during the 
pleasure of the officer-in-chief in the place where he is drunk." 

This session of the assembly was commenced on the 26th 
and ended on the 30th of May, 1668. 

The next session was held at Elizabethtown, on Tuesday, the 
3d of November, 1668, at which an act was passed requiring 
*' all the soldiers in every town of the province, from sixteen 
years old to sixty, to train or be mustered at least four days in the 
year, and oftener if the chief military officer in the place see it 
needful, viz., two days in the spring and two days in the autumn, 
and that there shall be at least ten days between each training 
day ; any chief officer constituted and commissioned for that 
purpose, wittingly or willfully neglecting the same, shall forfeit 
for every day's neglect, twenty shillings to the public and every 
soldier five shillings, and for a half a day, two shillings and six- 
pence, and for late coming, one shilling.' 

Every town within the province was to have a brand-mark for 
their horses, to distinguish the horses of one town from another; 
besides which every one was to have and mark his horse or horses 
with his own particular brand-mark ; also, that every town shall 
have a horn brand-mark, for all cattle from three years old and 
upward. It was required that there should be an officer appointed 
by the governor in each town to brand and record every particu- 
lar man's brand, and the age of each of them, as near as he could, 
with the color and all observable marks it had before the brand- 
ing, whether on the ear or elsewhere, with the year and day of 
the month when branded, and to receive from the owner six- 
pence for each horse, mare, or colt so branded and recorded ; 
and every one neglecting to have them branded was to be fined 
ten shillings for every default. 

The horses and cattle were to be branded with the same letter 
in each town ; that of Bergen, with the letter B ; Newark, with 



294 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

N; EHzabethtown, with E ; Woodbridge, with W ; Middletown, 
with M ; Shrewsbury, with S ; Delaware, with D ; Piscataqua, 
with P. 

The brand was to be fixed on the right buttock of horses, and 
on the right horn of cattle ; the brander to have for cattle, two- 
pence per head. The sale of horses of all kinds was to be 
recorded in the town book within ten days after the sale, and 
the recorder was to receive three-pence per head for every such 
sale, under a penalty of forty shillings for every default. 

Every town was required to provide an ordinary for the relief 
and entertainment of strangers, the keeper of which was to have 
a license from the secretary, and oblige himself to make sufficient 
provision of meat, drink, and lodging for strangers ; and for 
neglect in any of the towns, they were to forfeit forty shillings fine 
to the country for every month's default after publication hereof. 

All persons were prohibited receiving or buying any cattle 
whatsoever of any Indian or Indians, whether swine, neat cattle, 
or horses, under the penalty of ten pounds. 

December 2d, 1675, it was enacted "that whosoever shall 
profane the Lord's Day, otherwise called Sunday, by any kind 
of servile work, unlawful recreations, or unnecessary travels on 
that day, not falling within the compass of works of mercy or 
necessity, either willfully or through careless neglect, shall be 
punished by fine, imprisonment, or corporally, according to the 
nature of the offence, at the judgment of the court, justice or 
justices where the offence is committed." 

Any person falling under the fine of a penal law, no officer 
was allowed to lay restraint upon his or their arms or ammuni- 
tions, plow-irons or chains, horses or cattle, as being so necessary 
to their livelihood. 

Blacksmiths, locksmiths, or any other persons were forbidden 
to make, mend, or any way repair any Indian gun or guns, upon 
the penalty of paying for the first offence, after conviction, the 
sum of twenty shillings, and for the second offence, forty 
shillings, and for the third offence, to double the whole, and so 
to continue, which fines to be one-half to the informer, and the 
other half to the public use. 

April 6th, 1676, an act was passed requiring all weights and 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 295 

measures to be sealed, according to the standard of England, 
and for dry measure, according to Winchester measure. 

It was also ordered that the freeholders in every town choose 
a packer, to see that all meat in barrels for sale be good and 
merchantable, and well packed and salted, and to contain thirty- 
two gallons, and put his mark upon the cask or barrel, and to 
have for his pains of packing and markin g of every such barrel, 
eight-pence. 

All leather was to pass under the hand of a sealer, and be 
approved by him, under a penalty of four-pence per hide. 

At a meeting of the general assembly, held at Woodbridge, 
October 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th, 1676, it was enacted that there 
be a '*day of public thanksgiving, set apart throughout the 
whole province, to give God the glory and praise for the signal 
demonstration of His mercy and favor towards us in this colony, 
in the preserving and continuing our peace in the midst of wars 
round about us, together with many other mercies which we are 
sensible of, which call aloud for our acknowledgment and thanks- 
giving to the Lord, and oblige us to live to His praise, and in 
His fear always." 

The laws of the general assembly were in force only one year, 
and consequently at each yearly session the same laws had to be 
re-enacted, otherwise they lost their vitality. 

The salary of the governor was fixed, in the year 1675, at fifty 
pounds per year, and five shillings was allowed him for a seal. 
In 1676, the governor was allowed four shillings a day for travel- 
ing expenses, the council and deputies, three shillings each per 
day, traveling expenses, and to continue during the time of their 
sitting. 

In 1679, the salary of the governor was fixed at two shillings 
per head for every male within the province from fourteen years 
old and upwards. 

A day of thanksgiving was appointed for "next Wednesday 
come three weeks: that will be the 26th of this instant, No- 
vember. " 

In 1 68 1, a law was passed forbidding the sale of rum, brandy, 
wine, cider, strong beer, or any other intoxicating liquor to the 



296 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Indians, under the penalty of twenty pounds for the first offence, 
and to be doubled for every offence after. 

Robert Barclay was appointed governor of East New Jersey 
for life, July 17th, 1683, and Gawen Lawrie, deputy governor, 
not exceeding seven years, commission dated July 27th, 16S3. 

Jeremiah Basse was appointed governor, April 14th, 1698. 

The sessions of the general assembly and the courts were held 
at Elizabethtown up to the 6th day of April, 1686, and all the 
public records were kept there up to that time, when they were, 
by act of the general assembly, removed to the town of Amboy 
Perth, in the county of Middlesex, afterwards called New Perth. 
The courts were afterwards ordered to be held alternately at the 
town of Amboy Perth, Piscataway, and Woodbridge. 

On the 2Sth of September, 1692, the legislature finding the 
act imposin g a fine on persons selling liquors to the Indians was 
ineffectual to prevent that traffic, enacted that the penalty should 
be "for the first offence, five lashes on the bare back, for the 
second offence, ten lashes on the bare back, for the third, fifteen, 
for the fourth, twenty, and so many and no more for every such 
offence thereafter, to be inflicted by order of the court." 

In 1692, an act was passed authorizing the division of the 
several counties into townships, tribes, or divisions. 

In 1693, an act was passed to establish schoolmasters within 
the province, " for the cultivation of learning and good manners, 
and for the good and benefit of mankind, which hath hitherto 
been much neglected within this province." 

In 1695, an act was passed regulating schools, in which each 
town was to choose three men yearly, who were "to appoint 
and agree with a schoolmaster, and to nominate and appoint the 
most convenient place or places where the school shall be kept 
from time to time, that as near as may be the whole inhabitants 
may have the benefit thereof." 

Concessions and agreements of the proprietors, freeholders, 
and inhabitants of the province of West New Jersey were made 
on the 25th day of March, 1680, confirming the contract and 
agreement made on the 2d day of March, 1676, by William 
Penn, Gawen Lawrie, and Nicholas Lucas, unto Thomas Hutch- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 297 

inson, Thomas Pearson, Joseph Helmsley, George Hutchinson, 
and ]\Iahlon Stacy. 

Samuel Jennings was deputy governor in 1681, from the 25th 
of September, and was appointed governor the 14th of Novem- 
ber, 1 68 1. 

The laws of the province of West Jersey were almost precisely 
the same as those of East Jersey. 

The general assembly held their sessions at Burlington. 

The courts were held alternately at Burlington and Salem, 
they being the most populous towns in the province. 

In 1682, the legislature granted authority for the erection of 
public markets for the accommodation of the people ; the first 
market day was to be held at Burlington, to begin and take 
place the seventh day of the eighth month next ensuing, and at 
Salem, the seventeenth day of the same month. 

"The Seventh day, commonly called Saturday, weekly and 
every week, shall be the market day at Burlington, to be held 
there in the place formerly set forth for the market place ; and 
that the market for corn shall begin at the eleventh hour in the 
morning. 

"That the Third day, called Tuesday, weekly and every 
week, shall be the market at Salem, to be held before the town 
landing, formerly appointed there for the market place, and 
that the market for corn shall begin at the eleventh hour in the 
morning." 

For the encouraging learning, and for the better education 
of youth, it was enacted that the island called Matin icunk, late 
in the possession of Robert Stacy, with all and every the appur- 
tenances, was given to remain for the use of the town of Bur- 
lington for the maintaining of a school for the education of youth 
within the said town. 

In 1683, the assembly gave to Thomas Budd and Francis 
Collins one thousand acres of land (parts of the land to be pur- 
chased of the Indians above the falls), for the building of a 
market-house and court-house at Burlington 

Samuel Jennings was, by the free election and vote of the 
assembly sitting at Burlington, chosen governor of the province 
on the nth of March, 1683. His previous appointment was by 



298 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the lords proprietors. The assembly gave him six hundred acres 
of land, to be had and taken up above the falls (after the pur- 
chase thereof was made from the Indians), with three years' 
time to settle the same. * 

The first representatives of West Jersey were Thomas Ollive, 
(speaker), Mahlon Stacy, Joshua Wright, John Lambert, Thomas 
Lambert, f William Emley, Godfrey Hancock, Daniel Leeds, 
Thomas Wright, Samuel Borden, J Robert Stacy, Thomas Budd, 
Daniel Wills, Thomas Gardner, John Cripps, John White, John 
Chaffen, Bernard Devenish, Isaac Meriott, William Peachee, 
William Cooper, Mark Newbie, Thomas Chackeray, Robert 
Zame, Samuel Neville, Richard Guy, Marke Reeves, Richard 
Hancock, John Smith, John Pledger, Edward Wade, George 
Deacon, Samuel Hedge, Andrew Thompson, Thomas Revell, 
(clerk). 

At the session held at Burlington, July 7th, 1683, i^ ^^'^^ ^^" 
solved and unanimously agreed upon by the assembly, that the 
governor be chairman or speaker, and that he sit as one of the 
assembly, together with the council, and the chairman to have 
two votes, or a double vote. 

On the 20th day of March, 1684, Thomas Ollive was chosen 
governor. 

September 25th, 16S5, John Skene was chosen deputy gov- 
ernor. 

November 3d, 1692, Andrew Hamilton was chosen governor. 

Previous to 1693, West Jersey had been divided into three 
counties, Burlington, Salem, and Falls, and these were sub- 
divided into ten-tenths. 

At the session of May 12th, 1696, a bill was passed, called a 
qualifying bill, requiring officers who were not free to take an 
oath, to sign the following declaration of fidelity and profession 
of the Christian faith : 

"I, A. B., do sincerely promise and solemnly declare, that 

* All the lands in New Jersey were purchased from the Indians, and none 
were taken except by purchase. 

■}• From whom Lamberton was named. 
J From whom Bordentown took its name. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 299 

will be true and faithful to William, King of England, and the 
government of this province of West New Jersey ; and I do 
solemnly profess and declare, that I do from my heart abhor, 
detest, and renounce, as impious and heretical, that damnable 
doctrine and position, that princes excommunicated or deprived 
by the Pope, or any authority of the See of Rome, may be de- 
prived or murdered by their subjects, or any other whatsoever. 
And I also declare, that no foreign prince, person, prelate, state, 
or potentate hath, or ought to have, any power, jurisdiction, 
superiority, pre-eminence, or authority, ecclesiastical or spirit- 
ual, within this realm." 

THE CHRISTIAN BELIEF. 

"I, A. B., profess faith in God, the Father, and in Jesus 
Christ, his Eternal Son, the true God, and in the Holy Spirit, 
one God blessed forever more ; and do acknowledge the Holy 
Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be given by Divine 
Inspiration." 

The tax ordered at this session to be raised for the payment 
and discharge of the provincial debt was one penny per acre of 
land cleared, improved, and fenced, meadow only excepted; six- 
pence upon every hundred acres surveyed and unimproved land ; 
six-pence per head upon all neat cattle from one year old and 
upwards ; twelve-pence per head upon every horse and mare one 
year old and upwards ; six-pence per head for every hog or 
swine that any person should sell, convey, or dispose of, living 
or dead ; one penny per head for every sheep ; and also all per- 
sons keeping or owning negroes should pay for every negro of 
ten years of age and upwards, two shillings and six-pence. Those 
refusing to pay, or giving in a false account, or concealing and 
not giving in a negro, were to be fined six shillings ; for every 
head of such beast not given in, ten shillings ; for every acre of 
land improved, two-pence ; and for every hundred acres of land 
unimproved, nine-pence. 

Previous to 1694, each tenth chose ten representatives for the 
provincial assembly, making one hundred representatives in all, 
which was according to the concessions of the lords proprietors. 



300 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

After the year 1694, they were chosen by counties. Burlington 
county comprised two-tenths ; Gloucester county, two-tenths ; 
and Salem county, one-tenth. Burlington county had twenty 
members; Gloucester county, twenty; Salem, ten; and Cape 
May, five. 

In the year 1696 this number was considered superfluous, and 
the representation was made, for Burlington, ten ; Gloucester, 
ten ; Salem, five ; and Cape May, three ; making in all twenty- 
eight members. 

In the year 1700, the assembly enacted, " that any person or 
persons that shall break into any house, out-house, or barn, in 
the day-time or in the night, and shall steal any goods or mer- 
chandize to the value of one shilling or upwards, upon being 
convicted thereof, shall (besides making the restitution of four- 
fold), for the first offence, receive thirty-nine stripes upon the 
bare back, and being convicted a second time, shall have burnt 
with a hot iron upon his, her, or their forehead, a Roman T, 
added to the above punishment, and being convicted a third 
time, shall be burned with a hot iron in the cheek with the 
Roman letter T, suffer a twelve months' close imprisonment, and 
be kept to hard labor, only having a sufficiency of diet, and 
corrected by being whipt with thirty-nine stripes on the bare 
back once in every month during the said term of one year." 

After the first offence, if the offender begged transportation, 
the judge or justice of the Supreme Court was to allow it to him 
or her. After being transported, in case they returned within 
seven years, they were to be apprehended, and not only make 
restitution four- fold, but to receive thirty-nine stripes, and be 
branded with the Roman letter T on the forehead. 

At the session of May 12th, 1701, the law reducing the repre- 
sentatives to twenty-eight was repealed, and the old law allowing 
them fifty-five re-enacted 

On the 15th day of April, 1702, the proprietors of the 
provinces of East and West Jersey surrendered to Queen Anne 
all the powers and authorities in them vested in said provinces, 
previous application having been made to that end August 12th, 
1701. 

This surrender was signed by twenty-five of the proprietors of 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 301 

East Jersey, and by thirty-two of West Jersey. The surrender 
was accepted by the Queen, at the Court of St. James, the 17th 
day of April, 1702, before the final articles of surrender could 
have reached England. 

On the i6th day of November, 1702, Lord Combury (Edward 
Hyde) was appointed governor of the consolidated province.* 

The assembly was ordered to sit alternately at Perth Amboy 
and Burlington, and to consist of twenty-four representatives, 
to be chosen, two by the inhabitants, householders of the city 
or town of Perth Amboy ; two by the inhabitants, householders 
of the city and town of Burlington ; ten by the freeholders of 
East New Jersey, and ten by the freeholders of West New Jersey. 



* His commission bears date December 5th, 1 702. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

1680— 1786. 

New Jersey — When set off from New York — Extent of East and 
West Jersey — First Purchases — Consideration paid for lands 
— First settle77ient at Buriingtoti — Flood at Delaware Falls — 
Religious Institutions — Places of public worship — First coutrs in 
Trenton — United States government offices removed to Trenton. 

ALTHOUGH the English had very early made the discovery 
of North America, a considerable time elapsed before any 
advantages accrued. Sir Walter Raleigh, in 1584, was the first 
Englishman who attempted to plant a colony in it.* 

In this year he obtained a patent from Queen Elizabeth, for 
him and his heirs, to discover and possess forever, under the 
crown of England, all such countries and land as were not then 
possessed by any Christian prince, or inhabited by any Christian 
people. This was the first patent granted to Sir Walter Raleigh. 
Encouraged by this grant, Raleigh and other partners, at divers 
times, fitted out ships, and settled a colony at Roanore,f in Vir- 
ginia; but, notwithstanding various attempts, they met with 

* That is, a regular colony under grants. Sir Armigell Wadd, of Yorkshire, 
a clerk of the Council of Henry VIII and Edward VI, and author of a book 
of Travels, was the first Englishman that made discoveries in America. [H. 
Walpole's Anecdotes of Printing, vol. ii. Catalogue of Engravers, pp. 18, 19.] 

\ Now Roanoke, in Virginia. At that time the country was divided into 
but two great divisions; the first or southern division was granted to the Lon- 
don company, and the second or northern division, to the Plymouth company. 
The portion of territory to which the name of Virginia was given, extended 
rom the thirty-fourth to the forty-fifth degree of north latitude. [Mulford's 
History, p. 26.] 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 303 

such discouragements that no great improvements were made 
until sometime afterwards. 

In the year 1606, King James, without any regard to Raleigh's 
right, granted a new patent of Virginia, in which was included 
New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Mary- 
land. From Queen Elizabeth's time to the time of this patent, 
the whole country bore the name of Virginia, which was given 
it by Raleigh, in honor of the virgin queen of England, as some 
say, though others claim that it took its rise from the fact of its 
never having been settled before — being virgin soil. 

The patentees were Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, 
Richard Hakluyt, (clerk), Edward Maria Wingfield, Thomas 
Hanham, and Raleigh Gilbert, Esqs., William Parker, George 
Popham,* and others. The extent of the land granted was from 
thirty-four to forty-five degrees north latitude, with all the islands 
lying within one hundred miles of the coast. Two distinct col- 
onies were to be planted by virtue of this patent, and the prop- 
erty invested in two different bodies of adventurers, the first to 
belong to Somers, Hakluyt, and Wingfield, under title of the 
London adventurers, or the London company, and was to reach 
from thirty-four to forty -one degrees, with all lands, woods 
mines, minerals, &c. 

The other colony was to reach from the end of the first, to 
forty-five degrees ; granting the same privileges to Hanham, 
Gilbert, Parker, and Popham, under the name of the Plymouth 
company, with liberty to both companies to take as many part- 
ners as they pleased ; forbidding others to plant within those 
colonies without their license ; only reserving the fifth-part of 
all gold and silver mines, and the fifteenth-part of copper, to the 
use of the crown. 

The London company, by virtue of this grant, fitted out sev- 
eral ships, with artificers of every kind, and all things requisite 
for a new settlement, which sailed for America, and planted a 
colony there, but in the year 1623, there were so many com- 
plaints made of bad management, that on inquiry, a q^w war- 
ranto was issued against the patent, and after a trial had in the 

* Lord Chief Justice of England. 



304 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

King's bench, it was declared forfeited ; * after which Virginia 
remained for a long time under the immediate direction of the 
crown. 

In the year the patent was granted, the Plymouth company 
also attempted to make a settlement, but with no great success 
until about the year 1620, when they sent fresh recruits from 
England, under the command of Captain Standish, who arrived 
at Cape Cod, in the latitude of forty-two degrees, and having 
turned the Cape, found a commodious harbor, opposite th^ point 
at the mouth of the bay, at the entry of which were two islands 
well stocked with wood. Here they built a town which they 
called Plymouth. About this time, the colonies in New England 
were much augmented by multitudes of dissenters, who, think- 
ing this a good opportunity of enjoying liberty of conscience, 
offered their services to the Plymouth company, and the grand 
patent being delivered up to the King, particular patents were 
granted to the Lord Musgrave, the Duke of Riclimond, the Earl 
of Carlisle, the Lord Edward Gorges, and new colonies were 
planted in divers places on this continent. 

From what has been said, it is evident that the colonies of 
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland were 
included in the great patent last mentioned ; but that becoming 
void, the crown was at liberty to re-grant the same to others. 

But it does not appear that any part of those provinces were 
settled by virtue thereof; nor indeed was any distinct discovery 
of them made until many years afterwards. New Jersey, Penn- 
sylvania, and other lands adjacent, notwithstanding the ancient 
right of the crown of England, deduced as aforesaid, had two 
pretenders to them — the Dutch and the Swedes. 

The claim the former set up was under color of a discovery 
made in the year 1609, by Henry Hudson, an Englishman by 
birth, and commander of a ship called the Half-Moon, fitted 
out from Holland by the East India company, for the purpose 
of discovering, by a northwest passage, a nearer way to China. 

* Other accounts say the patent was dissolved by the King's proclamation 
in 1624, and that though a quo warranto was issued against it, no determina- 
tion followed in the courts of justice. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 305 

In this voyage he sailed up to the place now called New York, 
and up the river, which he called Hudsojt's river, and returning 
sometime after to Amsterdam, the Dutch pretended to have pur- 
chased the chart he had made of the American coast, and 
having obtained a patent from the states in the year 1614, to 
trade in New England, they settled in New York, which place 
they called New Netherland, and kept possession until Sir Sam- 
uel Argole, governor of Virginia, disputed their title, alleging 
that the country having been d iscovered by an Englishman, in 
right of his master, he could not suffer it to be alienated from 
the crown without the king's consent. He therefore compelled 
the Dutch colony to submit to him, and to hold it under the 
English. Soon after, a new governor coming from Amsterdam, 
they not only neglected to pay their usual acknowledgment to 
the governor of Virginia, but in the year 1623, fortified their 
colony by building several forts : one on the Delaware, (by them 
called South river), near Gloucester, in New Jersey, which they 
named Fort Nassau; a second on Hudson's (the North river), 
in the province of New York, which they named Fort Orange, 
and a third on Connecticut river, (by them called Fresh river), 
which they named the Hirsse of Good Hope. 

Having examined into the Dutch claim to this continent, let 
us look for a moment at that set up by their neighbors, the 
Swedes. 

In the reign of Gustavus Adolphus, in the year 1626, an 
eminent merchant, William Useling, who had visited this coun- 
try, on his return gave a glowing description of it, applauded 
its fruitful and fertile lands as abounding with all the necessaries 
of life, and by many arguments he endeavored to persuade the 
Swedes to settle a colony here. Literally carried away by the 
glowing descriptions given by Useling, Gustavus issued a procla- 
mation at Stockholm, exhorting his subjects to contribute to a 
company associated for the purposes aforesaid. 

This company was very soon formed, and called the West 
India Company, and was confirmed by Gustavus. 

In a general convention assembled the year following, large 
sums of money were raised to carry on the intended settlement, 
of which the king, the lords of the council, the chief of his barons, 

u 



3o6 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

knights, coronets, principal officers in his militia, bishops, 
clergy, and many of the common people of Sweden, Finland, 
and Lifiland, contributed. 

In 1627, the Swedes and Finns accordingly came over hither. 
Their first landing was at Cape Inlopen (now called Henlopen). 
Here they were so well pleased with the sight presented, that 
they called it Paradise Point. Sometime after they purchased 
of some Indians (but whether of such as had the proper right to 
convey we are not informed,) the land from Cape Inlopen to 
the falls of the Delaware, on both sides of the river. These 
falls laid opposite, or rather on the west of the city of Trenton — 
hence, what is now the city of Trenton was included in that 
purchase. The Delaware was called by them New Swedeland 
stream ; and they made presents to the Indian chiefs in order to 
obtain peaceable possession of the lands they had already pur- 
chased. 

But the Dutch continuing their pretensions, in 1630, one 
David Petersz de Vries built a fort within the capes of Delaware, 
on the west, about two leagues from Cape Cornelius, at what is 
now called Lewistown, which was then called by the name of 
Hoarkill. 

In 1 63 1, the Swedes also built a fort on the west of Delaware, 
to which they gave the name of Christeen, the ruins of which 
are still visible. This fort was erected near Wilmington, from 
which the name of the noted creek, Christiana, is derived. 

A small town was here laid out by Peter Lindstrom, their en- 
gineer, and here they first settled, but although this settlement 
was afterwards demolished by the Dutch, yet in 1810, Christiana 
township, including the village of the same name, numbered 
6,698 inhabitants, and in 1820, 8,335 inhabitants. 

On an island called Tinicum, sixteen miles above Christiana, 
and on the Delaware, below the mouth of Darby creek, about 
six miles below Philadelphia, the Swedes erected another fort, 
which they called New Gottcmburgh. 

On the 2d of September, 1655, the Dutch besieged Christiana 
fort and town, and destroyed New Gottemburgh, together with 
all the houses that were outside the fort. 

From this time till the year 1664, New Sweden and New 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 307 

Netherland continued in possession and under government of 
the Dutch, who had built a city on Manhattan Island, at the 
mouth of Hudson's river, which they named New Amsterdam, 
(New York) and the river they sometimes called the Great river. 
About one hundred and fifty miles up they built a fort, and called 
it Orange (Albany) ; from thence they drove a profitable trade 
with the Indians, who came overland as far as from Quebec to 
deal with them. 

The first bounds of New York were Maryland on the south, 
the main land as far as could be discovered westward, the river 
of Canada (now St. Lawrence,) northward, and New England 
eastward. 

We have now arrived at that period when, by the grants made, 
this province was reduced into a much smaller compass. 

That province now called New Jersey* was one of these 
grants set off from New York. It was probably called New 
Jersey in honor of Sir George Carteret, one of the proprietors, 
and a Jerseyman. 

The Duke of York being seized, did, on the 23d and 24th 
days of June, 1664, in consideration of a " competent sum of 
money, grant and convey unto Lord John Berkley, Baron of 
Stratton, and Sir George Carteret, of Saltrum, in the county of 
Devon, to their heirs and assigns forever, all that tract of land 
adjacent to New England, west of Long Island and Manhattan's 
Island, and bounded on the east by the main sea, a part of 
Hudson's river; on the west by the Delaware bay and river, ex- 
tending southward to the main ocean, as far as Cape May, at the 
mouth of Delaware bay, and north by the northernmost branch 
of said bay or river of Delaware, which is in forty-one degrees 
and forty minutes of latitude, in a straight line to Hudson's 
river, said tract of land hereafter to be called Nova Csesarea, or 
New Jersey ; and also all rivers, mines, minerals, woods, fishings, 
hawkings, huntings, and fowlings ; and all other royalties, profits, 
commodities, and hereditaments whatsoever to the lands and 
premises belonging, or in anywise appertaining, with their and 

* It is said to have borne for some time the name of New Canary, and 
afterwards Nova Csesarea, or New Jersey. 



3o8 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

every of their appurtenances, in as full and ample a manner as 
the same is granted unto the Duke of York by the before recited 
letters patent." 

Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret, under this first grant, 
became sole proprietors, and so continued till the province be- 
came divided in 1676. Sir George Carteret then became the 
sole proprietor of the eastern division. The county of Bergen 
was the first settl ed place. A great many Dutch being already 
there when the province was first surrendered, remained under 
the English government. A few Danes were probably concerned 
in the original settlement of this country, from whence came 
Bergen, after the capital of Norway. 

In 1664, John Bailey, Daniel Denton, and Luke Watson, of 
Jamaica, Long Island, purchased of certain Indian chiefs, in- 
habitants of Staten Island, a tract or tracts of land, on part of 
which the town of Elizabeth now stands, and for which, on their 
petition, Governor Richard Nicholls granted a deed or patent 
to John Baker, of New York, John Ogden, of Northampton, 
John Bailey and Luke Watson, and their associates, dated at 
Fort James, in New York, the 2d of December. This is what 
is commonly called the Elizabethtown grant. 

Numbers of industrious, reputable farmers, most of whom 
were English residents of Long Island, fixed their residences 
about Middletown, from whence, by degrees, they extended 
their settlements to Freehold and thereabouts. 

To Shrewsbury there came many families from New England, 
and there were very soon four towns in the province, Elizabeth, 
Newark, Middletown, and Shrewsbury, and these, with the 
country around, were in a few years plentifully inhabited by the 
accession of the Scotch ; and many came from England, besides 
those of the Dutch that remained in the colony. 

After Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret had appointed 
Philip Carteret governor of the colony of New Jersey, they gave 
him power, by advice of a majority of the council, to grant lands 
to all such as by the concessions were entitled thereto, and 
though there is no provision in the concessions for bargaining 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 309 

with the Indians,* Governor Carteret, on his arrival, thought it 
prudent to purchase their rights. 

Governor Carteret did not arrive to take charge of the govern- 
ment till 1665, up to which time the province was under Richard 
NichoU's administration, then governor of New York. 

Governor Carteret, on his arrival, took up his residence at 
Elizabethtown, which it is said he named after Elizabeth, wife 
of Sir George Carteret, his brother. 

He invited others to settle in the province, by sending ambas- 
sadors throughout New England, to which many responded, and 
soon came and settled, some at Elizabethtown, others at Wood- 
bridge, Piscataway, and Newark. 

Thus the province of East New Jersey increased in settle- 
ments, and continued to grow until the Dutch invasion in 1673, 
when they took possession of the country and put a stop to the 
English government, f 

Philip Carteret remained governor till his death in 1682. 
During his lifetime the general assemblies and supreme courts 
sat at Elizabethtown. 

In 1675, a few passengers arrived from England for West 
Jersey. One-half of the province at this time belonged to Lord 
Berkley, while the other half was sold to John Fenwick, in trust 
for Edward Byllinge and his assigns. 

The same year Fenwick sailed from London in a ship called 
the Griffith, and landed at a rich and pleasant spot near Dela- 
ware, which he called Salem, from the peaceable aspect which 
it bore. He brought his two daughters over with him, besides 
a number of servants, two of whom, Samuel Hedge and John 
Adams, afterwards married. 

Among the passengers who came with Fenwick, were Edward 

* This in 1672 was supplied by particular instructions, directing that the 
governor and council should purchase all lands from the Indians, and be re- 
imbursed by the settlers as they made their purchases. 

f Governor Andross, of New York, in 1680, undertook to dispute the title 
of Carteret as governor of New Jersey. He therefore sent an armed force to 
Elizabethtown, seized and carried him prisoner to New York, on pretence of 
his commission not being a good one. 



3IO HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Champncss, Edward Wade, Samuel Wade, John Smith and wife, 
Samuel Nicholls, Richard Guy, Richard Noble, Richard Han- 
cock, John Pledger, Hipolite Lufever, and John Matlock. 
These, and others with them, were masters of families. This is 
the first ship that came to West Jersey, and none followed for 
nearly two years, owing probably to a difference between Fen- 
wick and Bylllnge. But this difference was settled to the satis- 
faction of both parties by the good offices of William Pcnn. 

Articles of concession were agreed upon and signed by a 
number of inhabitants of West Jersey, which was confirmed by 
a letter dated "London, 26th of 6th Month, 1676." Article 
ISC described the boundary of the new concession, as follows : 
"We have divided with Sir George Carteret, and have sealed 
deeds of partition each to the other, and we have all that side 
on Delaware river from one end to the other; the line of parti- 
tion is from the east side of Little Egg Harbor, straight north, 
through the country to the utmost branch of Delaware river, 
with all powers, privileges, and immunities whatsoever ; ours is 
called New West Jersey; his is called New East Jersey." 

This, with four additional articles relating to the partition of 
the colony, was signed by Gawen Lawrie, William Penn, Nicholas 
Lucas, E. Byllinge, Johri^ldridge, and Edmond Warner. 

In 1677, two companies of Quakers, one in Yorkshire and one 
in London, made purchase of some of the West Jersey lands, 
and sent out the following commissioners to purchase the lands 
of the Indians: Thomas OUive, Daniel Wills, John Kinsey, 
John Penford, Joseph Helmsley, Robert Stacy, Benjamin Scott, 
Richard Guy,* and Thomas Foulke. They fitted out a sailing 
vessel called the Kent, and landed their passengers, two hundred 
in number, at Raccoon creek, while the commissioners sailed 
around to a place they called Chygoes Island,'}" afterwards Bur- 
lington. 

* Richard Guy came in the first ship ; John Kinsey died at Shachamaxon 
soon after landing; his remains were interred at Burlington, in land appro- 
priated for a burial ground, but now a street. 

f From Chygoe, an Indian sachem who lived there. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 311 

Their first purchase through their Swedish interpreters, Israel 
Helmes, Peter Rambo, and Lacy Cock, extended from Timber 
creek to Rancocas creek, and another from Oldman's creek to 
Timber creek. 

After this they got Henric Jacobson Falconbre to be their in- 
terpreter, and purchased from Rancocas creek to Assunpink.* 

These commissioners, by mutual consent, laid out and settled 
New Beverly, which they afterward called Bridlington, but soon 
changed it to Burlington. The town was divided into tenths 
between the London and Yorkshire companies. 

It has been asserted that the first settlement of Trenton was 
called by the Indians Littleworth, in consequence of its liability 
to be destroyed by a flood in the river. My impression, how- 
ever, is, that the inhabitants never recognized it as the name of 
the town. Mahlon Stacy, who was one of the first purchasers of 
land here, in letters written in 1680, dates them from " the Falls 
of Delaware." Rev. Dr. Cooley, who is supposed to have been 
the author of a series of articles published some years ago, and 
from which articles I have obtained considerable information 
for this and subsequent chapters, stated that he had seen a deed 
of two lots lying east of Greene street, between Second street 
(now State) and the Assanpink, which were described as " being 
in Littleworth." If the inhabitants ever called any part of 
Trenton by that name it must have been the lowlands between 
Front street and the creek, as it is but a few years since that wasHow 
meadow ground and has been overflowed by freshets within the 
memory of most of our citizens, and has within a few years been 
filled up until it has attained its present condition, being made 
ground. We are not prepared to dispute its being the name of 
the town at its earliest settlement, but have grave doubts of such 
being the fact. 

The province of Nova Csesarea, or New Jersey, was included 
in the original grant made by Charles II. King of England, to 
his brother James, the Duke of York, on the 20th of March, 

* Meaning Stony Creek. 



312 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

1664,* and in June of the same year, the Duke of York conveyed 
it to Lord John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, jointly. The 
province was called Nova Caesarea or New Jersey from the name 
of the Isle of Jersey, in the English channel, the country of Sir 
George Carteret. 

On the 6th of August, 1680, the Duke of York relinquished 
by deed his claim of ownership to the province of West New 
Jersey ; at the same time he reserved the right of government, 
and accordingly chose Edward Byllinge as governor of that 
province, and Philip Carteret was chosen governor of East 
Jersey. 

The Quakers of West New Jersey, who were now the proprie- 
tors, had established a liberal government, and had placed 
their civil and religious liberties upon a foundation that promised 
to stand. 

William Penn, with eleven associates, some of whom were 
already concerned in New Jersey, became the purchasers of 
Carteret's province. The deeds of lease and release (which are 
yet in existence), were made to the purchasers on the ist and 2d 
of February, 168 1-2. 

The new proprietors proceeded at once to appoint a governor, 
and their choice for this office fell upon Robert Barclay, of Urie, 
in Scotland, a member of their own body. 

After the London commissioners, who came over in the Kent, 
had laid out the town of Burlington, on the Delaware river, the 
Yorkshire commissioners, consisting of Joseph Helmsley, Robert 

* Previous to 1752, the year commenced on the 25th of March, conse- 
quently the time between the ist day of January and that day was reckoned 
with the former year, and was usually expressed by a double date An instru- 
ment, for instance, bearing date January I5lh, 1640, according to our calendar, 
would be expressed January 15th, 1639 — 40; sometimes only 1639. The day 
of the month by the new style may be ascertained by omitting ten days in the 
seventeenth centuiy, eleven days in the eighteenth century, and twelve days in 
the nineteenth century. The alteration was made in England by a statute 
passed in 1751, to take effect in Januarj', 1752, which authorized the omission 
of the eleven intermediate days of the calendar — from the 2d to the 14th of 
that month. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 313 

Stacy and William Emley, chose the purchase from the Assan- 
pink,* or Falls of the Delaware, to Ancocas or Rancocas creek. 

In November of this year, two ships arrived with passengers, 
the "Willing Mind,"t from London, and the "Fly Boat 
Martha," from Hull, with one hundred and fourteen passengers, 
who settled on the Yorkshire tract. In 1678, on the loth of 
December, the " Shield " arrived from Hull. 

This was the first ship that had ever ascended the river as far 
as Burlington. 

She moored to a tree, and the next morning after they arrived 
the passengers went ashore on the ice. J Among the emigrants 
who came in this vessel were Mahlon Stacy, Thomas Potts, 
Thomas Lambert, Thomas Neville, and Thomas Wood, with 
their families ; Godfrey Newbold, John Newbold, and Mr. Barnes, 
merchant, from Hull, Richard Green, and John Heyers.§ 

Mahlon Stacy took up a tract of land of eight hundred acres, 
lying on both sides of the Assanpink, but principally on the 
north side of the creek. || 

Several of the first emigrants settled on the lowlands at the 
Falls of the Delaware. 

The country in the vicinity of the Assanpink was for some 
time known as the Falls, or Falls of the Delaware. Mahlon 
Stacy, in writing to his friends in England, dates his letter from 
the Falls of the Delaware, in West Jersey, the 26th of the fourth 
month, 1680."^ 

In the year 1681, a law was passed to measure the front of the 

* This creek is called in the public records, Derwent, St. Pink, Sun Pink, 
Assunpink, (meaning stony creelc, from its gravelly bottom) and Assanpink, 
its present name 

f Some of those who came in tliis ship settled at Burlington. 

X Gordon, p. 40. 

\ Gordon and Smith's History, p. 109. 

II This tract lay between the old York road (now Greene street) and the 
Delaware river, and between State and Ferry streets, and extended into what 
is now Hamilton township on the south side of the creek. Lambert's purchase 
was south of Ferry street, Trenton. 

\ Smith's History, p. 114. 



314 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

river Delaware, from St. Pink to Cape May, in order to divide 
it into ten proprietaries, each proprietor to have his proportion 
on the front of the river, and to extend back into the woods, so 
as to contain sixty-four thousand acres, and each proprietary was 
to be divided into ten equal parts.* 

At this division the first proprietary, or Yorkshire tenth, 
extended from the Assanpink, where it empties into the Dela- 
ware, south to the Rancocas creek, in Burlington county, and 
east into the woods, so as to contain in each proprietary sixty- 
four thousand acres of land. At that time the main land 
extended nearly opposite Cox's mill,"}" at the mouth of the 
Assanpink, so as to include the Island of Sand, or Gravelly 
Island. 

The first survey of twenty-five hundred acres was made in June, 
16S7, and the addition of twenty-five hundred acres was surveyed 
in 16S9, when the lands were taken up. This tract extended 
north on the Delaware between three and four miles, and back 
from the river so as to include about five thousand acres ; and from 
the northwestern boundary of Hutchinson's land on the Dela- 
ware, the society tract commenced, containing ten thousand 
acres surveyed in May, 1699. How far the western boundary 
of this tract extended northerly on the river is not at present 
definitely known. 

The Hutchinson manor-house was on the farm on which the 
State Lunatic Asylum now stands, formerly owned by John 
Titus, Esq. All these lands, with most, if not all, the other 
tracts, were included in what was, as early as 1699, known as 
the township of Hopewell, and which was bounded by the 
Assanpink on the south, by the line of division between East 
and West Jersey on the east, and by the present boundary of the 
township of Hopewell on the north. 

At Avhat time this tract of country received the name of Hope- 
well I am not informed. A part of the plantation belonging to 



* Learning & Spicer, p. 436. 

f The ruins of Cox's mill are still standing. It was about thirty by thirty, 
eight feet, and built of stone. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 315 

the Dean family was deeded by Jonathan Eldridge, of Burling- 
ton, to Moses Petit, of Hopewell, in the township of Nottingham, 
in 1695. 

In 1683, the general assembly gave to Governor Jennings six 
hundred acres of land, above the Falls, in consideration of his 
necessary charges as governor, " when the lands shall have been 
purchased of the Indians.'''''^ This shows that at the commence- 
ment of the seventeenth century the country above the falls had 
not been purchased or settled. 

Very few settlements had been made in the township at the 
commencement of the last century, with the exception of those 
made on the lowlands at the Assanpink, in 1676, and which 
were totally destroyed by the flood in 1692, already mentioned. 
After this disaster the buildings which were erected in the 
vicinity of the Assanpink were built on the south side of the 
creek. 

That spot of ground immediately adjoining the creek on the 
south was called Kingsbury, afterwards Kensington Hill ; but 
when it became a manufacturing place of some note, the name 
was again changed to Mill Hill, which name it continued to 
bear until it was incorporated with Bloomsbury and made the 
borough of South Trenton, and afterwards the third and fourth 
wards of Trenton. 

Mr. Isaac Watson, who came from Nottingham, England, 
settled on the place late in the occupancy of Mr. Benjamin Van 
Schoick, and in 1708 built the house which is still standing. 
The township of Nottingham was so called from the place in 
England from whence Mr. Watson came. About the year 1700, 
the settlements were commenced by persons who bought the 
lands from, the original ^proprietors, or persons who had taken up 
the lands ; and most of the deeds of plantations in the different 
parts of the township bear date from 1699 to 17 10, There was 
considerable difficulty experienced about the title of lands. 
Grants of lands had been made at different times to different 
persons, and when they were surveyed it was found that in some 

* Learning & Spicer, p. 471. 



31 6 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

cases the same land had been granted to different persons. Some 
had purchased of those who had taken up the land, whose titles, 
if they had any, were obtained from the Indians. 

Dr. Daniel Cox, being one of the rightful proprietors of the 
lands in this section of the country, Mr. Thomas Revell was 
appointed by the purchasers to make such arrangements with 
Dr. Cox as would secure them in the possession of their land, 
and from the following it appears that he had attended to the 
business to their satisfaction : 

" August 26th, 1703. We, underwritten, having, at the date of 
the above, at the house of Ralph Hunt, in Maiden township,* 
heard read the agreement made the 20th of April, 1703, between 
Dr. Daniel Cox, Esq., and Thomas Revell, on behalf of the 
purchasers of the land within Maiden and Hopewell, do hereby 
declare and signify our full and free assent and consent to the 
same, 

" In testimony thereof have thereto set our hands the day and 
year above. 

" Joshua Anderson, William Green, 

Ralph and Samuel Hunt, John Burroughs, 
John Banbridge, Isaac and Joseph Reeder, 

Jonathan Davis, Theophilus Phillips, 

Robert and John Lanning, and others, "f 

Notwithstanding the care which the first settlers took to 
secure good titles for their lands, many of them afterwards had 
to buy the second time or relinquish them ; and several did give 
up the lands, with the improvements they had made, and settle 
in other parts of the country, rather then pay for them again. 

The provincial legislature, in 1694, enacted that the inhabi- 
tants above the St. Pink, or Derwent (Assanpink), in the 
province, should belong to Burlington.. I 

In May, 1701, Andrew Heath and William Spencer were 
appointed assessors of the township of Hopewell, and Nathaniel 



* Lawrence. 

f Book of Deeds AAA, p. 8, in secretary of state's oflice. 

J Learning & Spicer, p. 532. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 317 

Petit, collector.* These persons lived near the Falls, except 
Mr. Heath, who lived on the farm now owned by Mr. Joseph B. 
Anderson, in Ewing township. 

From the year 1700, the settlement of the township was 
increased by persons from Long Island, East Jersey, and other 
parts. Messers. Daniel Howell, Ebenezer Prout, Isaac Reeder, 
John Burroughs, Charles Clark, Richard Scudder, Robert Lan- 
ning, Jacob and John Reeder, William Reed, Simon Sacket, 
John Deane, John and Abiel Davis, Jonathan Davis, and others, 
settled in what is now Ewing, as appears from their deeds and 
family records; and in April, 1703, Mr. John Hutchinson (only 
son and heir of Thomas Hutchinson, who died intestate,) con- 
veyed a lot of land to the inhabitants of Hopewell as a place of 
burial. The instrument conveying the lands is as follows, and 
may be found on page 114, A A A, folio 105, at the secretary of 
state's office, Trenton : 

"John Hutchinson, of Hopewell, county of Burlington, &c., 
to Andrew Heath, Richard Ayre, Abiel Davis, and Zebulon 
Haston,f of the same county, &c., hath granted to the said 
Andrew Heath, &c., a piece of land on \ the easterly side of the 
highway leading between the house of the said John Hutchinson 
and Andrew Heath, &c., containing two acres, in trust for the 
inhabitants of the said township of Hopewell and their succes- 
sors, inhabiting and dwelling within the said township, forever, 
for the public and common use and benefit of the whole town- 
ship, for the erecting and building a public meeting-house 
thereon, and also for a place of burial, and for no other use, 
intent, or purpose whatsoever." 

This probably was the first house built for public worship in 
the township of Hopewell and for Trenton, and probably the 

* Learning & Spicer, p. 583. 

f Zebulon Haston lived on the place owned by the late Amos Reeder, 
which was bought by Isaac Reeder in 1707, of Mr. Haston. 

X This lot has, within the last twenty-five years, been sold by the trustees ol 
the Episcopal Church in Trenton to Ralph Lanning, and lies on an eminence 
about thirty rods northeast from his dwelling, and north of the State Lunatic 
Asylum. 



3i8 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

first in the state, except that of the Quakers. It was occupied 
by the Episcopalians until thejr church was built in Trenton, 
and occasionally for many years afterwards. A portion of the 
foundation is still standing, and in it the stone which still con- 
secrates the memory of Samuel Tucker, president of the second 
provincial congress of New Jersey, and state treasurer, as well 
as that of his wife, and several prominent citizens of Trenton of 
that day. 

The Friends who had left England, on account of the perse- 
cution raised against them for their religion, sought an asylum 
on the peaceful shores of the Delaware,- where they have, undis- 
turbed, enjoyed the privileges of religious, as well as civil free- 
dom. For many years they had no public buildings for worship, 
but their meetings were held in private houses. 

"Governor William Penn, who, in the year 16S3, issued an 
order for the establishment of a post-office, requested Phineas 
Pemberton carefully to publish the information on the meeting- 
house door, that is, on the door of \\\q private house in which the 
Society of Friends were accustomed to meet. It was usual for 
Friends settled about the Falls (or Fallsington, in Bucks county), 
to assemble at the houses of William Yardley, James Harrison, 
Phineas Pemberton, William Biles, and William Beakes. For 
the meeting-house at the Falls was not built till 1690, nor the 
one at Burlington till 1696, nor the one at Bristol till 1710."* 

The meeting house in Trenton city was built in 1 739. This 
date was formerly on the building, but when it was repaired, in 
1S38, in rough-casting it they covered the date completely over, 
which certainly was an error on their part, as it should have been 
left as a monument, to designate a period prior to the struggle 
for American independence. f 

The building is located on the corner of Hanover and Mont- 
gomery streets. It has been occupied for the same purpose since 
its erection up to the present time. The door of the entrance to 
the meeting-house was on the south side of it, facing Hanover 

*" Friends' Miscellany," vol. vii., p. 29. 

\ In 1872 this date was again placed on the eastern end of the building. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 319 

street, and on the east gable was the inscription above men- 
tioned 

It seldom happens but that disasters of some kind befall the 
settlers of a new country. Change of climate, modes of living, 
the air, the soil, and other causes, not unfrequently occasion 
sickness and great mortality among them. This was the case, to 
a very alarming degree, among the first settlers on James river, 
Virginia, and also among those who landed on Plymouth rock, 
in Massachusetts. And many of the inhabitants of the vicinity 
of the Falls were visited with sickness, and were removed by 
death, by a malignant fever, which prevailed among them in 
1687, both in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.* 

Phineas Pemberton says, "that on the i6th of 3d montn, 
(that is March i6th), 1687, there was ' a great land flood,' and 
on the 29th a rupture." This is supposed to refer to the forma- 
tion of the island at Morrisville, opposite the Trenton bridge, 
which was at the time separated from the mainland. 

The flood here referred to is probably the same as that men- 
tioned by Mr. Smith, as occurring in i692,f and there appears 
to be an error in one of the dates, for it is supposed that so 
great a rise in the waters as to overflow the banks on the Penn- 
sylvania side of the Delaware river, at the falls, must have swept 
away the settlement on the lowlands, at the mouth of the Assan- 
pink; and yet, this is said not to have occurred till 1692. The 
lands on the Jersey shore m.ight, however, have been much 
higher than on the Pennsylvania side, and probably they were, 
as they were tilled till many years afterward. 

Kalm, a Swede, who travelled in this country in 1748, says, 
" that his landlord in Trenton told him that twenty years before 
(1728), when he settled there, there was hardly more than one 
house." 

In August, 181 4, Mrs. Jemima Howell (youngest daughter of 
Mr. John Burroughs), who was born in the year 1724, informed 
a citizen of Trenton, that although she could not tell when the 

*'' Friends' Miscellany," vol. vii., p. 3I. 
\ Smith's History, p. 208. 



320 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

frame church (in Ewing) was built, yet she remembered that she 
had helped to scrub it, seventy years before. She said she also 
well remembered when there were but two or three small houses 
where the city of Trenton is built, and that it was woods from 
the neighborhood of the frame church to Mahlon Stacy's mill, 
on the Assanpink, the place lately occupied by Col. Edward B. 
Bingham, as a paper mill ; that they had only a foot-path for 
many years after, and that the farmers carried their grain to 
market on pack horses. 

Kalm says that in 1748 there were near a hundred houses in 
Trenton, The probability is, from the description he has given 
of the town, that he included the buildings on the north and 
south side of the Assanpink. He also says that there were two 
small churches — one belonging to the Church of England, and 
the other belonging to the Presbyterians. As Nottingham and 
Hopewell were settled almost entirely by Friends, there is reason 
to suppose that they were among the first t o erect places of pub- 
lic worship, which was probably the fact, as their house was 
built in 1739. Nearly all the first buildings in the original city 
were on or near the York road (now Greene street), which led 
from Mahlon Stacy's mills. 

When the assembly made the county of Hunterdon in 1714, 
they enacted that the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Ses- 
sions should be held alternately at Maidenhead (Lawrenceville) 
and Hopewell, "until a court-house and gaol for the county 
should be built.* 

An act was passed April 9th, 1679, ''that the county courts 
should be held at one time in one town, and another time in 
another town,"f and accordingly they were held for the county 
of Hunterdon, in Maidenhead, in the months of June and 
December, and in Hopewell in March and September, from 
June, 1713, to September, 1719. The first courts in the county 
were held at Maidenhead on the second Tuesday of June, 1714, 
but at what house we are not informed. 

* Laws and Ordinances, vol. i., p. loo, in State Library at Trenton, 
f Learning & Spicer, p. 1 16. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 321 

Afterwards they were held at the house of Theophilus Phillips, 
William Osborn, Mr. Horner, and Daniel Bailey. 

In Hopewell they were held first and subsequently at the 
house of Andrew Heath and the house of Robert Lanning, (the 
place afterwards owned by the heirs of Nathaniel Lanning). 

In September, 1719, the courts Avere held in Trenton. ''It 
having been represented to the governor that the holding the 
courts alternately in Maidenhead and Hopewell was attended 
with inconvenience, in March, 1719, he recommended that the 
courts should be held and kept in Trenton from the month of 
September next ensuing."* 

The magistrates present at the first court m the county, held 
at Maidenhead, were John Bainbridge, Jacob Bellerjeau, Philip 
Phillips, William Greene, John Holcomb, Samuel Greene, and 
Samuel Fitch. There is a tombstone in the burying ground at 
Lamberton, containing the name of John Bainbridge which 
states, '* he was a gentleman of great merit, and having the con- 
fidence of the people, was called to fill many important offices in 
the colony." And he was no doubt the ancestor of the Bain- 
bridges in this part of the country, and of the late gallant 
Commodore Bainbridge. 

William Greene and John Reading were the first assessors of 
Hunterdon, and Ralph Hunt, the first collector — these offices 
at that time being county instead of township offices, as they 
now are. 

The first grand jurors were William Hixson, Daniel Howell, 
Robert Lanning, Henry Mershon, Richard Compton, George 
Woolsey, Joseph Reeder, Jr., Thomas Standling, Richard 
Scudder, Timothy Baker, John Burroughs, John Titus, Samue 
Everett, John Ely, and Richard Lanning. 

John Muirheid, high sheriff, complained to the court in 1714 
and 1 71 7, and in June, 1719, and in March, 1720, that there 
was no gaol (or jail) for the county. 

In 1728-9, John Dagworthy, Esq., high sheriff* complained 

* Laws and Ordinances, p. 223, State Library at Trenton. 

X 



322 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

to the court that the jail was so out of repair that escapes took 
place daily. " Ordered to be repaired."* 

In 1 714, the land became the property of Colonel Trent, and 
in 1719, if not before, the courts were held here part of the time 
under the act of April, 1676, " directing them to be held in the 
towns alternately." 

In 1824 it was enacted ''that the Supreme Court for the 
county of Hunterdon, be held in July, at Trent's-town." 

About the year 1721, a log jail for the county was built at the 
forks of the road leading from Trenton to Pennington, and 
from Pennington to the Eight-Mile-Ferry, nearly opposite the 
residence of the late Jesse Moore, Esq. 

From the complaint of the sheriff it appears that neither the 
jail nor the character of the inhabitants was much credit to the 
county if the criminals were so numerous and the prison so weak 
that escapes occurred daily. 

Although the sheriff complained to the court of the daily 
escapes from the jail, there does not appear on the record of the 
court many criminal cases presented by the grand jury. 

They found a bill at one term of the courts against a man 
** for stealing a book called the New Testament,^ ^ and at another 
court against a man " for stealing a horse bill.'^ Besides these, 
but very few bills were found. 

A few years afterwards some of the most interesting trials took 
place which ever came before this court, in which the Rev. John 
Rowland was tried for theft, and the celebrated Presbyterian 
clergyman, Rev. William Tennent, pastor of the Church at 
Freehold, and Joshua Anderson and Benjamin Stevens, promi- 
nent members of the Presbyterian Church at Trenton, were tried 
for perjury. 

The following is an account of that most singular affair : 

"About the year 1744, there was an unusual attention to 
religion in this part of the country. The Rev. William 
Tennent and the Rev. John Rowland were considerably in- 
strumental in calling the attention of the people to spiritual 
concerns. 

* Minutes of the Court, vol. ii. 



HISTORY OF NEW JEK.SEY. 323 

" Mr. Rowland's popularity and success was very great among 
all ranks of people, and this drew upon him the enmity of those 
who disregarded religious truth, and among the number was the 
Chief Justice of the state. 

" The Chief Justice at this time was the son of Lewis Morris, 
Esq., then governor of the state. He was a member of the 
council as well as being at the head of the judiciary. The 
appointment of young Morris to this office was highly reprobated 
by the people, who opposed the union of the legislative and 
judiciary, and more especially as this union was in the person of 
the son of the governor.* 

" At this time there was a man traveling about the country 
by the name of Tom Bell, of notoriously bad character, who 
had been indicted in most of the middle colonies, yet by his 
ingenuity and cunning had contrived to escape punishment. It 
happened one evening, that Mr. John Stockton, of Princeton, 
met with Bell at a tavern in that place and addressed him as Mr. 
Rowland. Bell told him his mistake. Mr. Stockton informed 
him that his error had arisen from his remarkable resemblance 
to Mr. Rowland. 

"This hint was sufficient for Bell. The next day he went 
into a neighboring town in Hunterdon, where Mr. Rowland 
had preached once or twice, and introduced himself as the Rev. 
Mr. Rowland who had before preached for them ; and he was 
invited to officiate for them the next Sabbath. 

" Bell received the kindest attention of the family where he 
staid until the Sabbath, when he rode with the family in their 
wagon to the church. 

" Just before they reached the church, Bell discovered that he 
had left his notes behind, and proposed to the master of the 
family, who rode by the wagon on a fine horse, to take his horse 
and ride back, that he might get his notes and return in time for 
the services. To this the gentleman assented, and Boll mounted 
the horse, rode back to the house, rifled the desk of his host, 
and made off with the horse ; and wherever he stopped he called 
himself the Rev. John Rowland. 

* Mulford's History, p. 345. 



324 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

"At this time the Rev, Messrs. Tennent and Rowland, with 
Mr. Joshua Anderson and Benjamin Stevens, were in Maryland 
or Pennsylvania, on business of a religious nature. Soon after 
their return to New Jersey, Mr. Rowland was charged with the 
robbery. At the court, the judge with great severity, charged 
the jury to find a bill. But it was not until they had been sent 
out the fourth time, with threats from the judge, that they 
agreed upon a bill for the alleged crime. 

" On the trial, Messrs. Tennent, Anderson, and Stevens, 
appeared as witnesses, and fully proved an alibi: for they 
testified that on the day the robbery was committed they were 
with Mr. Rowland, and heard him preach in Pennsylvania or 
Maryland. 

" So Mr. Rowland was acquitted, to the great disappointment 
and mortification of his persecutors. Their enmity to religion, 
however, led them industriously to seek occasion, if by any 
possible means, they might bring disgrace and ruin upon these 
servants of God. 

" There were one or two circumstances which seemed to 
inspire the hope that their malicious feelings might yet be 
gratified. The testimony of the man who had been robbed was 
positive that Mr. Rowland was the robber ; and several persons 
who had seen the man who called himself Rowland, in possession 
of the stolen horse, corroborated his testimony. 

"But Mr. Rowland was out of their power. He had been 
acquitted. 

"Their vengeance, therefore, was directed against those 
persons by whose testimony Rowland had been cleared, and 
they were accordingly accused of perjury, and on ex parte 
testimony, the grand jury found bills of indictment against 
Messrs. Tennent, Anderson, and Stevens, * for willful and cor- 
rupt perjury.' 

" Now the enemies of the gospel and revivals of religion appear 
to have thought that their end would be easily accomplished 
and that disgrace would be brought on religion, its ministers, 
and professors, for Messrs. Anderson and Stevens were pious 
men. These indictments were removed to the Supreme Court. 
But Mr. Anderson, living in the county, and feeling his entire 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 325 

innocence of the crime of which he was charged, and being 
unwilling to lie under the imputation of perjury, demanded a 
trial at the first Court of Oyer and Terminer. 

" He was accordingly tried, pronounced guilty, and sentenced 
to stand on the court-house steps one hour with a paper on his 
breast, on which was written in large letters, * this is for willful 
and corrupt perjury.^ And the sentence was executed upon 
him in front of the court-house, which stood on the spot where 
the Trenton Bank now stands, in Warren street. 

" Messrs. Tennent and Stevens were bound over to appear at 
the next court. 

" They attended, having employed Mr. John Coxe, an 
eminent lawyer, to conduct their defence. Mr. Tennent knew 
of no person living by whom he could prove his innocence. 
His only resource and consolation was to commit himself to 
the Divine will ;* and considering it as probable that he 
might suffer, he had prepared a sermon to preach from the 
pillory, if that should be his fate. On his arrival at Tren- 
ton, he found Mr. Smith of New York, one of the ablest 
lawyers in America, and a religious man, who had volun- 
teered to aid in his defence ; also Mr. John Kinsey, one of the 
first counselors of Philadelphia, who had come by request of 
Gilbert Tennent (his brother) for the same purpose. 

"Messrs. Tennent and Stevens met these gentlemen at Mr. 
Coxe's the morning before the trial was to come on. 

"Mr. Coxe wished them to bring in their witnesses, that they 
might examine them before going into court. IVIr. Tennent 
replied that he did not know of any witness but God and his 
own conscience. Mr. Coxe replied, ' If you have no witnesses, 
sir, the trial must be put off; otherwise, you will most certainly 
be defeated. Your enemies are making great exertions to ruin 
you.' 

" ' I am sensible of this,' said Mr. Tennent, ' yet it never shall 
be said that I have delayed the trial or been afraid to meet the 
justice of my country. I know my innocence, and that God 

* His affectionate congregation felt deeply interested in his critical situation, 
and kept a day of fasting and prayer on the occasion. — " Log College." 



326 HISTORY OF Nli'.V JERSEY. 

whom I serve will not give me over into the hands of the enemy. 
Therefore, gentlemen, go on with the trial.' Messrs. Smith 
and Kinsey, who were religious men, told him that his confi- 
dence and trust in God as a Christian minister of the gospel 
were well founded, and before a heavenly tribunal would be all- 
important to him, but assured hiui that they would not avail in 
an earthly court, and urged his consent to put off the trial. But 
Mr. Tennent utterly refused. 

" Mr. Coxe then told him that there was a flaw in the indict- 
ment, of which he might avail himself. After hearing an 
explanation from Mr. Coxe, respecting the nature of the error, 
Mr. Tennent declared that he would rather suffer death than 
consent to such a course. Mr. Stevens, however, seized the 
opportunity afforded, and was discharged. 

" Mr. Tennent assured his counsel that his confidence in God 
was so strong, and his assurance that He would bring about his 
deliverance in some way or other, was so great, that he did not 
wish them to delay the trial for a moment. 

" Mr. Coxe still urged Mr. Tennent to have the trial put off, 
and considering Mr. Tennent's refusal as manifesting a want of 
Christian meekness and prudence. But Mr. T. insisted that they 
should proceed, and left them, they not knowing how to act, 
when the bell summoned them to court. 

" Mr. Tennent had not walked far before he was met by it 
man and his wife, who asked if his name was not Tennent. 

" He told them it was, and asked if they had any business 
with him. 

" The man said they had come from the place in Pennsylvania 
or Maryland where, at a particular time, Messrs. Rowland, 
Tennent Anderson, and Stevens had lodged, and in the house 
where they were ; that on the next day they had heard Messrs. 
Tennent and Rowland preach ; that a few nights before they 
(the man and his wife) had left home, on waking out of a sound 
sleep, both had dreamed that Mr. Tennent was at Trenton, in 
the greatest distress, and that it was in their power, and theirg 
cn/y, to relieve him. This dream was twice repeated to them 
both, and so deep was the impression made on their minds, that 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 327 

they had come to Trenton, and wished to know of him what 
they were to do. 

" Mr. T. took them before his counsel, who, after examining 
them, and finding the testimony of the man and his wife full 
and to the purpose, were perfectly astonished. Before the trial 
began, another person came to Mr. T., and told him that he 
was so troubled in mind, for the part he had taken in the prose- 
cution, that he could find no rest, till he had determined to 
come out and make a full confession. Mr. T. sent this man to 
his counsel. Soon after Mr. Stockton, from Princeton, appeared, 
and added his testimony. 

" On trial, the advocates of the defendant so traced every 
movement of Mr. Tennent, on the Saturday, Sabbath, and 
Monday, the time of the theft and robbery by Bell, that the 
jury did not hesitate to acquit Mr. Tennent. 

" Thus was Mr. Tennent, by the remarkable interposition of 
Divine Providence, delivered out of the hands of his enemies."* 

Colonel William Trent was a gentleman of great respectability, 
and was for several years speaker of the house of assembly of 
Pennsylvania, and in September, 1723, he was chosen speaker of 
the house of assembly of New Jersey. In this year William 
Trent and John Reading were appointed commissioners for the 
county of Hunterdon. Mr. Trent died December 25th, i724.f 
It is supposed by some that he died in Philadelphia, but I 
believe it is not known to a certainty. 

In 1726, the legislative assembly granted to James Trent, the 
oldest son of William Trent, the exclusive use of the river 
Delaware for a ferry, two miles above and two miles below the 
falls. The ferry above the falls has been in use until within the 
last thirty years, and was a short distance above Calhoun street, 
while the one below the falls was used until the Delaware bridge 
was erected in 1S04-5. This last ferry was on the direct route 
between New York and Philadelphia. 

*" Log College," by A. Alexander, D. D., p. 189. 
f Smith's History, p. 419. 



CHAPTER XV. 

1744— 1757. 

Meeting of New Jersey Troops — Troubles between the governor 
and the two houses — The Indians favor the Freiich and oppose 
the English — Plaji of unio7i proposed — Not satisfactory to the 
English or the people of the provinces — Virginia raises troops 
and places them under command of Colonel Washington. 

AFTER the formal declaration of war by the English, March 
24th, 1 744, and the matter was laid before the assembly of 
New Jersey, by President Hamilton, on the 12th of June, they 
resolved, as stated in a previous chapter, to raise and equip five 
hundred men for this service. The enterprise met with such 
favor, that, in less than two months, six hundred and sixty men 
offered for enlistment. From these five companies were formed 
for this province, and the sixth was transferred to the quota of 
New York. These troops under the command of Colonel 
Philip Schuyler, reached the appointed rendezvous at Albany, 
on the 3d of September, and found the proposed expedition 
had been abandoned, in consequence of the failure of England 
to send forward the forces promised by them ; they remained 
until autumn of the next year, serving to overawe the Indians, 
and protect the frontier from their incursions and depredations 
The pay promised by the crown was tardily forwarded, and- 
the troops at the rendezvous became impatient in consequence 
of the delay. Not so with New Jersey, for the bounties promised 
them was punctually paid, and the state made ample provision 
for their comfort. In consequence of the failure on the part of 
England to pay them, the New Jersey troops mutinied in 
April, 1747, and determined to leave, with their arms and 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 329 

baggage, unless -their arrears were paid up. Colonel Schuyler 
at once despatched a messenger to President Hamilton, to lay 
the facts before him, and ascertain what could be done in the 
matter to avert so dire a disaster. The president recommended 
to the assembly, to provide for the pay, but the house having 
expended more than twenty thousand pounds in equipping, 
transporting and subsisting the troops, declined to make any 
further appropriations, and they were detained in the service 
chiefly by the generous aid of the colonel, who supplied 
the wants of the soldiers, by advancing many thousand pounds 
from his own private funds. The proposed attack on the French 
possessions in Canada originated with Governor Shirley of 
Massachusetts, who prevailed upon the ministry to undertake the 
expedition. A squadron of ships of war, having on board a 
body of land forces, commanded by Sir John St. Clair, was, as 
early as the season would permit, to join the troops of New 
England at Louisburg, from whence they were to proceed by the 
St. Lawrence to Quebec. Those from New York, and the more 
southern provinces were to be collected at Albany, and to 
march thence against Crown Point and Montreal. So far as this 
plan was concerned, it was carried out with j^romptness and 
alacrity, upon the part of the colonies. The men were raised, 
and waited impatiently for employment, but neither general, 
troops, nor orders arrived from England, and therefore the 
provincial forces continued in a state of inactivity, until the en- 
suing autumn, when they were disbanded. This affair was one 
of the thousand instances of incapacity and misrule, which the 
parent state inflicted upon her dependent American progeny. 
No further material transactions took place in America during 
the war, and on the 30th of April, preliminary articles of peace 
were signed, but hostilities continued in Europe and on the 
ocean, until October, 1748, when the final treaty was executed 
ai Aix-la-Chapelle, in which the great object of the war was 
wholly disregarded, the right of the British to navigate the 
American seas free from search, being unnoticed. The island 
of Cape Breton, with Louisburg, its capital, so dearly purchased 
by provincial blood and treasure, was given up under the stipula- 
tion, that all conquests should be restored, and the Americans 



330 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

had great cause to condemn the indifference or ignorance, which 
exposed them to future vexation and renewed hostilities by 
neglecting to ascertain the boundaries of the French and 
English territories on the American continent. 

President Hamilton, whose health was in a very precarious 
state at the time the government devolved upon him, died about 
the middle of the summer of 1747, and Avas succeeded by John 
Reading, Esq., the next oldest counsellor, who was soon after 
displaced by the appointment of Jonathan Belcher, Esq., by the 
crown. General harmony prevailed between him and the 
legislature for the space of ten years. In his administration he 
manifested entire submission to the wishes of the assembly, 
where they did not interfere with his instructions from the 
crown. When acts of the assembly did so interfere, he pre- 
ferred rather to throw himself back on the royal will, than to 
take issue with them. 

He was a man who used few words of his own, but when re- 
quired to communicate to the house, preferred using those of 
the ministry, or the petitioner or agent, as the case might be, 
rarely adding any comments of his own, or expressing any 
preference upon the subject. 

If charged with a failure in his duty, he never resented it in 
such a way as to create resistance. He was not imperturbable, 
and though sometimes severely tried by the assembly, by 
suspension of his salary, he was unmoved. 

Two questions arising out of proprietary interests, vexed the 
whole term of his administration, and though he earnestly en- 
deavored to avoid becoming a party to them, he was made a 
sufferer in the contests between the council and assembly. 
There had been no important controversy between the grantees 
of Carteret and the Elizabethtown claimants, under the Indian 
title, for more than thirty years. But this peace was occasioned 
by Carteret not enforcing his title or endeavoring to collect the 
rents. A lar^e quantity of East Jersey lands, under Carteret's 
title, had got into the hands of Robert Hunter Morris, and 
James Alexander, Esquires, both of whom held important offices 
in the province, the one being Chief Justice, the other Secretary, 
and both had been members of the council. These gentlemen, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 331 

with other extensive proprietors, during the life of Governor 
Morris, and towards the close of his administration, commenced 
actions of ejectment, and suits for the recovery of quit-rents 
against many of the settlers. 

They immediately resorted to their Indian title for defence, 
and formed an association consisting of a large proportion of 
the inhabitants of the eastern part of Middlesex, the whole of 
Essex, part of Somerset, and part of Morris counties, and by 
their union and violence, they were enabled to bid defiance to 
the law, to hold possession of the lands which were fairly within 
the Indian grant, and to add to their party a great many persons 
who could not, even under that grant, claim exemption from 
proprietary demands. The prisons were no longer sufficient to 
keep those whom the laws condemned to confinement, for in the 
month of September, 1745, the associators broke open the jail 
of the county of Essex, and liberated a prisoner, committed at 
the suit of the proprietors; and during several consecutive years, 
all persons confined for like cause, or on charge of high treason 
and rebellion for resisting the laws were released at the will of 
the insurgents, so that the arm of government was in this respect 
wholly paralyzed. Persons who had long held under the pro- 
prietaries were forcibly ejected, others were compelled to take 
leases from landlords, whom they were not disposed to acknowl- 
edge ; and those who had courage to stand out, were threatened 
with, and in many instances, received personal violence. 

The council and the governor were inclined to view these 
unlawful proceedings in the darkest colors, and to treat the dis- 
turbers of the peace, as insurgents, rebels and traitors, and to 
inflict upon them the direst severity of the laws. They pre- 
pared and sent to the assembly a riot act, modeled after that of 
Great Britain, making it felony without benefit of clergy,* for 

* Benefit of the clergy, in English law, originally, the exemption of the 
persons of clergymen from criminal process before a secular j udge ; a privilege 
which was extended to all who could read, such persons being in the eye of 
the law, ''clerici," or clerks. But this privilege has been abridged and 
modified by various statutes. [See Blackstone, 4 b. ch. 28.] In the United 
States no benefit of clergy exists; for our common and public schools contem- 
plates that every person should read and write. 

Previous to 1672, the benefit of clergy was prayed for and allowed as in 



332 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

twelve or more tumultuously asseriibled together, to refuse to 
disperse upon the requisition of the civil authority, by proclama- 
tion, in form set forth by the act. 

The assembly not only rejected this bill, but sought to give a 
more favorable color to the offences of the associators. The 
council of the proprietors sent a petition to the king, signed by 
Andrew Johnson, their president, and dated December 23d, 
1748, setting forth, " that great numbers of men taking advantage 
of a dispute subsisting between the branches of the legislature of 
the province, and of a most unnatural rebellion at that time 
reigning in Great Britain, had entered into a combination to 
subvert the laws and constitution of this province, and to obstruct 
the course of legal proceedings ; to which end they endeavored 
to infuse into the minds of the people, that neither your majesty 
nor your noble progenitors. Kings and Queens of England, had 
any right whatever to the soil or government of America, and that 
their grants were void and fraudulent ; and having by these means 
associated to themselves great numbers of the poor and ignorant 
part of the people, they, in the month of September, 1745, began 
to carry into execution their wicked schemes j when in a riotous 
manner, they broke open the goal of the county of Essex, and 
took from thence a prisoner, there confined by due process of 
law ; and have since that time, gone on like a torrent, bearing 
all down before them, dispossessing some people of their estates, 
and giving them to accomplices ; plundering the estates of others 
who do not join with them, and dividing the spoil among them; 
breaking open the prisons as often as any of them are committed, 
rescuing their accomplices, keeping daily in armed numbers, 

England. In one instance, the entry of the minutes of the Court of Oyer and 
Terminer is, "the prisoners being asked if they had anything to say why 
sentence of death should not be passed on them, according to the verdict 
found against them, prayed the benefit of clergy; the court being of the 
opinion that they were entitled to the benefit of their clergy, their judgment 
is that they be branded in the brawn of the left thumb with the letter T, 
immediately in the face of the court, which sentence was executed accordingly ; 
and ordered that they be recommiUed till their fees are paid, and they each 
enter into recognizance in one hundred pounds, to be of good behaviour for 
one year." 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 333 

and traveling often in armed multitudes to different parts of the 
province for those purposes ; so that your Majesty's government 
and laws have, for above three years last past, ceased to be that 
protection to the lives and properties of the people here, which 
Your Majesty intended they should be. 

" These bold and daring people, not in the least regarding 
their allegiance, have presumed to establish courts of justice, to 
appoint captains and officers over Your Majesty's subjects, to lay 
and collect taxes, and to do many other things in contempt of 
Your Majesty's authority, to which they refuse any kind of 
obedience. 

" That all the endeavors of the government to put the laws in 
execution, have been hitherto vain ; for, notwithstanding many 
of these common disturbers stand indicted for high treason, in 
levying war against Your Majesty, yet such is the weakness of 
the government, that it has not been able to bring one of them 
to trial and punishment. That the petitioners have long waited 
in expectation of a vigorous interposition of the legislature, in 
order to give force to the laws, and enable Your Majesty's officers 
to carry them into execution. But the house of assembly after 
neglecting the thing for a long time, have, at last, refused to 
afford the government any assistance, for want of which your 
petitioner's estates are left a prey to a rebellious mob, and Your 
Majesty's government exposed to the repeated insults of a set of 
traitors." 

The assembly knew nothing of this petition of the proprietors, 
until they had received a copy of it by the agent of the province, 
and in October, 1749, they sent a counter petition to the King, 
in which they vindicated their conduct, and declared, " that 
the proprietories of East New Jersey had, from the first settlement, 
patented and divided their lands by concession among them- 
selves, in such manner, as from thence many irregularities had 
ensued, which had occasioned multitudes of controversies and 
law suits, about titles and boundaries of land. That these con- 
troversies had subsisted between a number of poor people on the 
one part, and some of the rich, understanding and powerful on 
the other part; among whom where James Alexander, Esq., a 
great proprietor, and an eminent lawyer, one of your Majesty's 



334 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

council, and surveyor general for this colony, although a dweller 
in New York, and Robert Hunter Morris, Esq., Chief Justice, 
and one of your Majesty's council in said colony. That the 
said Alexander and Morris, not yielding to determine the matter 
in contest by a few trials at law, as the nature of the thing would 
admit, but on the contrary, discovering a disposition to harass 
those people, by a multiplicity of suits, the last mentioned 
became uneasy (as we conceive) through fear, that those suits 
might be determined against them, when considered, that the said 
Chief Justice Morris was son of the then late Governor Morris, 
by whose commission the other judges of the supreme court 
acted, and by whom the then sheriffs throughout the colony had 
been appointed ; and should a multiplicity of suits have been 
determined against the people, instead of a few only, which 
would have answered the purpose, the extraordinary and 
unnecessary charges occasioned thereby, would have so far 
weakened their hands as to have rendered them unable to appeal 
to Your Majesty in council, from whom they might expect im- 
partial justice. That these are, in the opinion of the house, the 
motives that prevailed on these unthinking people, to obstruct 
the cause of legal proceedings, and not at any disaffection to 
Your Majesty's person or government."* 

If the council of proprietors, supported by the legislative 
council, was disposed to aggravate the offences of the insurgents 
into high treason, it is apparent that the assembly were not less 
resolved, to consider them of a very venial character, and their 
conduct, upon this occasion, was highly disingenious. The 
house could not refuse from time to time, to condemn in strong 
terms, the conduct of the rioters ; but, no representation of the 
governor or council, could induce them, either to pass the riot 
act, or to arm the executive with military force, to capture the 
rioters, guard the prisons, 'or protect the public peace. If, 
indeed, the insurgents possessed a colorable title to the lands, 
and had been oppressed by a multiplicity of suits, which they 
were disposed to render unnecessary by submission to the law as 
apparent on the decision of a few ; if they had been content 



* Votes of assembly. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 335 

with defending their own possessions, without disturbing those 
of others, the representations of the assembly might have been 
less reprehensible. But the title of the insurgents was, on its 
merits, wholly unsustainable in an English court of justice, 
where a mere Indian right could never prevail against the grant 
of the King. The true solution of the course taken by the 
assembly will be found, most probably, in their sympathy for 
the rioters, and their hostility towards the leading members of 
the council, who were large proprietors. The public peace, 
from this cause, continued unsettled for several years. 

The administration of Governor Belcher, was also perplexed 
by a difference between the council and assembly, on a bill for 
ascertaining the value of taxable property in each county, for the 
purpose of making a new apportionment of their respective 
quotas. Among other property directed to be returned by this 
" Quota bill," as it was termed, was " the whole of all profitable 
tracts of land held by patent, deed, or survey, whereoJi any imp7'ove- 
meut is jnade." To this cause the council took exception on two 
grounds, first, that it was in contravention of the royal instruction 
prohibiting the governor from consenting to any act to tax 
unprofitable lands; and second, that it would be gross injustice, 
by taxing lands according to their quantity, and not according 
to their quality. Since tracts of lands might, and probably 
would be dtevaed profitable, when the greater number of acres 
were wholly unproductive. The council, therefore, proposed to 
amend the act, by declaring that nothing therein was intended 
to break in upon the royal instructions, or to warrant the asses- 
sors to include any unprofitable lands in their lists. The house 
roused by this attempt to modify what they deemed a money bill, 
denied the right of the council to amend such bill, and refused 
themselves to alter it, so as to remove the objection. The failure 
to pass the " Quota bill," deprived all the state ofiicers of their 
salaries during the year. 

A few extracts from the messages between the council and 
assembly, will show the manner in which these bodies treated 
each other, and also show the form and color of the times- 
Thus the council, in their address to the assembly, February 
19th, 1750, says: 



^^6 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

" The assembly in their message, and in their address to 
his excellency, accuse us of having taken liberties upon us ; as to 
which we think we have taken none, but what were our just 
right to take. But the liberties the assembly have taken with 
His Majesty, with his excellency our governor, with the magis- 
trates of this and other counties, and with us, by those papers, 
and during this and former sessions, (as will appear by their 
minutes), and by spreading base, false, scandalous, and injurious 
libels against us, we believe all sober and reasonable men will 
think unjustifiable — God only knows the hearts and thoughts of 
men. They have, it seems to us, even not left this province 
uninvaded, for they take upon them to suggest our thouglits to 
be 7iot out of any great regard to His Maj est f s instruction, that we 
have been lead to make our amendment, but to exempt our laige 
tracts of land from taxes, '^ when they well knew, that a majority 
of this house, are not owners of large tracts of land, and those 
who have such, do declare they never had the least thought of 
having their lands exempted from taxes, consistent with reason 
and His Majesty's instructions." 

The house, in their democratic pride, did not deign to reply 
directly to this reproach. But they ordered an entry to be made 
upon their minutes, declaring — 

" That it would be taking up too much time at the public ex- 
pense, for the house to make any particular answer thereto, nor 
indeed is it necessary, when considered, that the message itself 
will discover the council's aim, in having the improved part 
only, of tracts of land, taken an account of, in future taxation, 
which, if admitted, would exempt the unimproved parts of such 
tracts from paying any part of the public tax. So that, should 
a gentleman be possessed of a tract of ten thousand acres of 
land, in one tract, worth ten thousand pounds, and only fifty 
acres of it improved ; and a poor freeholder should be possessed 
of a tract of one hundred acres only, worth but one hundred 
pounds, and fifty acres of it improved, the poor freeholder 
must pay as much as the gentleman, and this we may venture to 

* Some of the council of proprietors were large land holders in the province. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 337 

say, (without invading the province of God, which the council 
are pleased to charge us with,) would be the obvious consequence 
of the bill in question, if passed in the manner the council in- 
sist ; and why a poor man, worth only one hundred pounds, 
should pay as much tax as a gentleman worth ten thousand 
pounds, will be difficult for the council to show a reason, but at 
present, we may set it down as a difficult and surprising ex- 
pedient, indeed to favor the poor." 

They accused the council, " instead of making it appear that 
they had a right to amend the bill, as they have repeatedly re- 
solved they had, unhappily fallen into the railing language of 
the meanest class of mankind, in such a manner, that had it 
not been sent to this house by one of the members, no man 
could imagine that it was composed by a deliberate determina- 
tion of a set of men who pretend to sit as a branch of the 
legislature. For towards the close of the above said message, 
they charge us with having taken liberties with His Majesty, with 
his excellency our governor, with the magistrates of this, and 
other counties, and with our having spread false, scandalous, and 
injurious libels against them, the said council ; which they say 
they believe all sober and reasonable men will think unjustifiable. 

" What liberties we have taken with His Majesty, otherwise than 
to assert our loyalty to him, in our address to the governor, we 
know not. What liberties we have taken with the governor, 
unless it be to tell him the true reason of the government being 
so long unsupported, and to represent the public grievances to 
him, for redress, we know not. 

"What liberties we have taken with the gentlemen of the coun- 
cil, other than to tell them the truth, in modest plain English, we 
know not. What liberties we have taken with the magistrates of 
this and other counties, unless it be to inquire into their conduct, 
upon complaints, and after a fair and impartial hearing, to 
represent their arbitrary and illegal proceedings, for redress, we 
know not : and wherein we have been guilty of spreading false, 
scandalous and injurious libels against the council, we know 
not. 

" Therefore, it will be incumbent on them to point out, and 

Y 



338 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

duly prove some undue liberties we have taken, and libels spread, 
before any sober and reasonable men will be prevailed on to 
condemn our proceedings, as unjustifiable ; which we think they 
will not do upon the slender authority of the council's insulting 
message to this house; which, in our opinion, is so far fiom 
being likely to prevail on any sober and reasonable men, to 
believe the false, scurulous, and groundless charges therein 
alleged against us. That it will rather discover the council to be 
men at least under the government of passion, if not void o^ 
reason and truth, until they recover the right use of their reason 
again, it will be fruitless for this house to spend time in arguing 
with them." 

While these important branches of the government, ceased to 
treat each other with ordinary respect, it was impossible that 
the public business could be carried on, and the governor wisely 
dissolved the assembly. 

On the 2oth of May, 1751, the new house met, and consisted 
of a majority of new members, and being disposed to despatch 
the affairs of the province, they passed the quota bill, in a form 
which dissipated the objections formerly urged against it, 
classifying lands according to their quality, and making all which 
could in any way be deemed profitable, liable to taxation, at a rate 
depending on their actual value. 

This difficulty was however scarcely removed, before another, 
partaking of the same character, arose. In adopting a new act 
for the support of the government, to the principles furnished by 
the quota act, the council assumed the right to amend the bill, 
although such right had always been peremptorily denied them 
by the house, in relation to all money bills, and in the present 
case their amendments were unanimously rejected. The assem- 
bly in their determination to maintain their point, in this respect, 
sought to get over the difficulty by making the governor a party 
to the bill in their favor, and for that purpose, after it had been 
returned by the council, they sent it up directly to him, that he 
might place it again before that body, together with his in- 
fluence, in order to secure its passage. This course, if carried 
out, would have brought the form of administering the govern- 
ment back to that which it possessed before the alteration made 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 339 

by Governor Morris, when the governor had a seat with, and 
debated with council. But Governor Belcher declined to re- 
ceive their bill, and the house being unable to further continue, 
it was prorogued, and the public treasury still continued empty. 
It was not until the month of February, 1752, after near four 
years' delay, that a bill for the support of government received 
the sanction of the different branches of the legislative powers of 
the government. 

The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which, in Europe, was but a 
hollow truce, was scarce regarded by the French in America, 
for, eager to extend their territories and to connect their northern 
possessions with Louisiana, they projected a line of forts and 
military positions from the one to the other, along the Mississippi 
and Ohio rivers. They explored and occupied the land upon 
the Ohio, buried in many places through the country, metal 
plates with inscriptions, declaring their claims. They caressed 
and threatened the Indians by turns ; scattered liberal presents, 
and prepared to compel by force what was refused by kind- 
ness. 

The enterprise and industry of the French with the Indians, 
were in strong contrast with the coldness and apathy of the 
English. After the peace of 1748, the English discontinued 
their attentions, even to those Indians they had induced to take 
up arms. They suffered the captives to remain unransomed ; their 
families to pine in want, and utterly disregarded the children of 
the slain ; while the French proved themselves attentive to the 
interest of their allies, dressed them in finery, and loaded them 
with presents. They might have exercised a still greater in- 
fluence over them, had they not sought to convert them to the 
Roman Catholic faith; for the Indians in their simplicity fancied 
that the religious ceremonies were arts to reduce them to slavery. 
By this policy the French had succeeded in estranging the 
Indians on the Ohio, and in dividing the councils of the Six 
Nations ; drawing off the Onondagoes, Cayugas and Senecas. 
Their progress with these tribes were rendered still more 
dangerous by the death of several chiefs, who had been in the 
English interest, and by the advances of the British in the 
western country without the consent of the aborigines. 



340 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

To prosecute the views of territorial acquisition and seduction 
of the Indians, the French attacked the Twightees, and slew 
many in order to punish them for adhering to the British, and 
protecting English traders. 

The Ohio company having surveyed large tracts of land upon 
the Ohio river, with the design of settlement, the governor of 
Canada remonstrated with the governors of New York and 
Pennsylvania, upon the invasion of the French territories, and 
threatened to resort to force, unless the English traders abandoned 
their intercourse with the Indians. The threats being dis- 
regarded, he captured some traders, and sent them to France, 
whence they retired without redress. He also opened a com- 
munication from Presque Isle by French creek, and the Alleghany 
river to the Ohio, and though the Six Nations forbade him to 
occupy the Ohio lands, be despised the present weakness of 
those tribes. 

Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia, learning that the French 
designed to proceed southward from Fort Venango, on French 
creek, despatched an agent, for the purpose of gaining intelligence 
and remonstrating against their designs. For this duty Mr. 
George Washington, then a young man under twenty years of 
age, was selected. 

He left the frontier with several attendants on the 14th of 
November, 1753, and after a journey of two months over 
mountain and torrent, through morass and forest, braving the in- 
clemency of the winter and the howling wilderness, and many 
dangers from Indian hostility, he returned with the answer of 
Legardeau de St. Pierre, the French commandant upon the 
Ohio, dated at the fort, upon Le Boeuff river. The French re- 
ferred the discussion of the rights of the two countries to the 
IMarquis du Quesne, governor in chief of Canada, by whose 
orders he had assumed, and meant to sustain his present 
position. From De la Joncaire, a captain in the French service, 
and Indian interpreter, Washington received full information of 
the designs of the French. They founded their claims to the 
Ohio river, and its appurtenances, on the discovery of La Salle, 
sixty years before, and their present measures for its defence. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 341 

had grown out of the attempts of the Ohio company to occupy 
its banks. 

The British ministry understanding the views and operations 
of the French nation on the American continent, remonstrated 
with the court of Versailles. But while that court publicly in- 
structed the governor of Canada to refrain from hostilities, to 
demolish the fortress at Niagara, to deliver up the captured 
traders and to punish their captors, it privately informed him, 
that strict obedience was not expected. Deceived and insulted, 
the English monarch resolved to oppose force by force, and the 
American governors were directed to repel the encroachments of 
any foreign prince or state. 

The English force in America, numerically considered, was 
much greater than that of the French, but divided among many 
and independent sections, its combined efforts were feeble and 
sluggish, while the French, directed by one will, had the 
advantages of union and promptitude, and drew the happiest 
hopes from the boldest enterprises. To resist them, effectually, 
some confederacy of the colonies was necessary, and common 
prudence required that the affections of the Indians towards the 
English should be assured. A conference between the Six 
Nations and the representatives of the colonies, was ordered 
by the ministry, under the direction of Governor De Lancy, of 
New York. This order was communicated to the assembly of 
New Jersey, by Governor Belcher, on the 25th of April, 1754. 
But the house refused on this, as they had upon every other 
occasion, heretofore, to take part in the Indian treaties, assigning 
as a reason, that their province had no participation in the 
Indian trade ; they professed, however, their readiness to con- 
tribute their assistance to the other colonies, towards preventing 
the encroachments of the French on His Majesty's dominions, 
but declaring their present inability to do aught on account of 
the poverty of their treasury. The reluctance displayed by the 
assembly upon this subject, together with their rude reply to a 
remonstrance from the governor, so provoked him that he dis- 
solved them. 

The Six Nations, although large presents were made them, were 
cold to the instances of the confederate council, which met on the 



342 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

14th of June. Few attended, and it was evident that the affection 
of all towards the English had diminished. They refused to enter 
into a coalition against the French, but consented to assist in 
driving them from the positions they had assumed in the west, 
and to renew former treaties. 

In this convention of the colonies, several plans for political 
union were submitted, and that devised by Benjamin Franklin, 
of which the following is an outline, was adopted on the 
4th of July. " A general colonial government was to be formed, 
to be administered by a president-general, appointed and paid 
by the crown ; and a grand council of forty-eight members to be 
chosen for three years by the colonial assemblies, to meet at 
Philadelphia the first time at the call of the president. After the 
first three years, the number of members from each colony was 
to be in the ratio of the revenue paid by it to the public 
treasury. 

" The grand council was to meet statedly, annually, and 
might be specially convened, in case of emergency by the presi- 
dent. It was empowered to choose its speaker, and could not be 
dissolved, prorogued or kept together longer than six weeks at 
one time, without its consent, or the special commands of the 
crown. They were, with the president-general, to hold or direct 
all Indian treaties, in which the general interest of the colonies 
were concerned, and to make peace and to declare war with 
Indian nations. To purchase for the crown from the Indians, 
lands not within particular colonies. To make new settlements 
on such purchase, by granting lands in the King's name, reserv- 
ing quit rents to the crown, for the use of the general treasury. 
To make laws regulating and governing such new settlements 
until they should be formed into particular governments; to 
raise soldiers; build forts and equip vessels of war; and for 
these purposes to make laws and levy taxes. To appoint a 
general treasurer, and a particular treasurer in each government. 
Disbursements to be made only on an appropriation by law, or 
by joint order of the president and council. 

" The general accounts to be settled yearly, and reported to 
the several assemblies. Twenty-five members to form a quorum 
of the council, there being present one or more from a majority 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 343 

of the colonies. The assent of the president general was requisite 
to all acts of the council, and it was his duty to execute them. 
The laws enacted were to be as like as possible to those of 
England, and to be transmitted to the king in council for 
approval, as soon as might be after their enactment, and if not 
disproved within three years, to rema'.i in force. On the death 
of the president general, the speaker was to succeed him, and to 
hold his office until the pleasure of the king should be known. 
Military and naval officers acting under this constitution, were 
to be appointed by the president, and approved by the council l 
and the civil officers to be nominated by the council and approved 
by the president ; and in case of vacancy in the civil or military 
service, the governor of the province in which it happened, was 
to appoint until the pleasure of the president and council should 
be ascertained." 

This plaii was submitted to the board of trade in England, and 
to the assemblies of the several provinces ; Franklin says its fate 
was singular. The assemblies rejected it as containing too much 
prerogative, while in England, it was condemned as too demo- 
cratic. Had it been adopted, the projector might have been famed 
as the forger of a nation's chains, instead of the destroyer of a 
tyrant's sceptre. As a substitute, the British ministry proposed 
that the governors of the colonies, with one or more members of 
the respective councils, should resolve on the measures of defence, 
and draw on the British treasury for the money required, to be 
refunded by a general tax, imposed by parliament on the colonies. 
But this proposition was deemed inadmissible by the provinces. 
The "plan of union," as adopted by the congress, was laid 
before the assembly of New Jersey in October. The house 
voted that if it should be carried into effect, " it might be 
prejudicial to the prerogative of the crown, and to the liberties 
of the people." They instructed their agent at court to 
petition the king and parliament against its ratification. 

Virginia had raised three hundred men, under Colonel Fry 
and Lieutenant Colonel Washington. The latter marched with 
two companies to the Great Meadows,in the Alleghany mountains, 
and having learned that the French had dispersed a party, who 



344 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

had been employed by the Ohio company to erect a fort on the 
Monongahela river, and who were themselves raising fortifica- 
tions at the confluence of that river with the Alleghany, and 
that a detachment was then approaching his camp. 

Being convinced of the hostile intentions of this party, 
Washington resolved to anticipate them. Guided by his Indians, 
under cover of a dark and rainy night, he surprised the French 
encampment, and captured the whole party, except one who 
fled, and Jumonville, the commanding officer, who was killed. 
Soon after the whole regiment united at the Great Meadows. They 
were reinforced by two independent companies of regulars, one 
from South Carolina and the other from New York, forming an 
effective force of five hundred men. 

In consequence of the death of Colonel Fry, the command de- 
volved upon Colonel Washington, who was at this time under 
age. Having erected a stockade to protect their horses and 
provisions, they marched to dislodge the enemy at Fort Du 
Quesne. Their progress was arrested by information of the 
advance of twelve hundred French and Indians. As the Ameri- 
cans had been six days without bread, and had but a small supply 
of meat remaining, and fearing the enemy would cut them off from 
their stores, they resolved to retreat to their stockade, to which 
they gave the name of Fort Necessity. 

Colonel Washington commenced a ditch around this post, but 
before he could complete it, he was attacked by the French force 
under Monsieur de Villiars. The troops made an obstinate de- 
fence, fighting partly within the stockade, and partly in the 
ditch, half filled with mud and water, from ten o'clock in the 
morning until dark, when de Villiars demanded a parley, and 
offered terms of capitulation. During the night, articles were 
signed allowing the garrison the honors of war, to retain their 
arms and baggage, and to return home unmolested. The last 
clause was not strictly kept, the Indians harassing and plundering 
the Americans during their retreat. The courage and conduct 
of Washington on this occasion, was greatly applauded, and laid 
the foundation for his future greatness. The assembly of 
Virginia voted their thanks to him and his officers. The French 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 345 

retired to their post on the Ohio.* The French nation strongly- 
reprobated the attack on the part of Jumonville, it having been 
without summons or expostulation. They declared that while 
peace prevailed between the two nations, hostility should not 
have been presumed. The death of Jumonville was called by 
them an assassination, even in the capitulation of Fort Necessity, 
the attack upon which, they state to have been made in con- 
sequence of the outrage upon their advance party. These 
allegations were refuted, by a review of the conduct of the 
French, since the development of their designs upon the Ohio. 
The capture of the persons and property of the settlers, at Log- 
town, and of the Indian traders, wherever found in the western 
country, afforded conclusive evidence of their intention to try 
the disputed title by force, and they could not, justly, complain 
of the reply to their argument, f 

The French completed Fort Du Quesne, at the confluence of 
the Monongahela and Alleghany rivers, which is now the 
thriving city of Pittsburg. They garrisoned it with one thousand 
regulars, with an ample supply of cannon, provisions, and other 
munitions, and prepared to occupy the country of the Twightees, 
with numerous settlers. The Six Nations were now more 
numerous on the western waters than they were in their ancient 
location ; they were indifferent to the cause of the English, and 
were divided among themselves, and it was with great difficulty 
that they maintained their neutrality. Some of them had re- 
moved to Canada, preferring the protection of the active and 
enterprising French commanders. The small body of the 
English troops on the frontiers was weakened by desertions and 
demoralized, the Indians who still adhered to their interest re- 
tired to Aughwick, in Pennsylvania, and there proclaimed their 
admiration of the courage of the enemy, and their contempt 

* Marshall's Washington. Bradford's journal, Review of military opera- 
tions in North America. London, 1 757. 

f Colonel Washington, vrho was ignorant of the French language, was 
unable to read the articles of capitulation, and was, therefore, obliged to rely 
on an interpreter, who rendered the word " assasinat," into the word" death," 
merely. — Wash. Lett. 



346 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

of the sloth of their friends, and it was with great difficulty 
that the assembly of Pennsylvania,with all the liberality manifested 
towards them and their families, and with all its forbearance to- 
wards the license of their chiefs, could keep them quiet. 

After much delay, however. Great Britain prepared with 
energy to oppose the growing power of her restless rival on this 
continent. 

They sent forward two regiments of foot from Ireland, com- 
manded by Colonels Dunbar and Halkett, who were ordered to 
Virginia to be there enforced, and Governor Shirley and Sir 
William Pepperell were directed to raise two regiments of one 
thousand men each, to be officered from New England, of which 
they were to have command. The provinces generally were re- 
quired to furnish men to be placed at the disposal of the com- 
mander-in-chief, who should be appointed to command all the 
forces of the king, in America, and ample provision was made 
for their sustenance, transportation and all the necessaries for the 
soldiers landed or raised within the provinces, which expenses 
were to be borne by the respective provinces. 

Governor Belcher urged the assembly of New Jersey to make 
liberal provision, but they refused to appropriate more than 
five hundred pounds for the transportation and subsistence of the 
troops of this province, in consequence of having previously 
voted the issue of seventy thousand pounds in bills of credit. 

The troops under Major General Braddock, Sir John St. Clair, 
Adjutant General, and the regiments of Dunbar and Halkett, 
sailed from Cork on the 14th of January, 1755, and arrived at 
Alexandria, in Virginia, early in March, from whence they 
marched to Fredericktown, in Maryland. The governors of New 
York, Massachusetts, Maryland and Virginia, met at Annapolis 
to devise a plan of military operations with General Braddock. 
Three expeditions were determined upon. The first against Fort 
du Quesne, under General Braddock in person, with the British 
troops and those of Maryland and Virginia; the second against 
Forts Niagara and Frontenac, under General Shirley, with his 
own and Pepperill's regiment; and the third, originally pro- 
posed by Massachusetts, against Crown Point, to be executed 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 347 

altogether by colonial troops from New England, New York and 
New Jersey, under Major General William Johnson. 

Before the measures above had been fully matured. Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Monckton, a British officer, and Lieutenant Colonel 
Winslow, a major general of the Massachusetts militia, made an 
attack against the French, in the province of Nova Scotia, and 
in little more than a month, with the loss of only three men, they 
obtained possession of the whole province. 

The province of New Jersey, in a continental war, dreaded an 
attack from Canada by the way of New York, while from the 
French and Lidians on the Ohio, they had no fears. The as- 
sembly cordially approved the plan of operations adopted at 
Annapolis, and particularly the expedition against Crown Point, 
and at once resolved to raise a battalion of five hundred men, 
and to maintain which, to issue bills of credit for fifteen thousand 
pounds, redeemable within five years. The governor nominated 
Mr. Peter Schuyler, with the rank of colonel, to command this 
force, and that gentleman's popularity was such that the battal- 
ion was not only promptly filled, but a much larger number of 
men than were required, presented themselves for enlistment. 

General Braddock removed his army to Fort Cumberland, on 
Willis's Creek, where he received his wagons and other neces- 
sary supplies ; at which place he was reinforced by a considera- 
ble body of Americans and Indians, and on the 12th of June he 
broke up his encampment at this place and passed the Alleghany 
mountains at the head of two thousand men. 

At Little Meadows, he convened a council of war for consul- 
tation on future operations. Colonel Washington, who had en- 
tered the army as a volunteer aid-de-camp, having a perfect 
knowledge of the country, as well as the nature of the service, 
had urged the substitution of pack horses for wagons for the 
transportation of their baggage. He again urged it upon them, 
and earnestly and successfully recommended that the heavy 
artillery and stores should remain with the rear division and 
follow the army by easy marches, while a body of troops should 
be chosen, with a few pieces of light cannon and stores, to press 
forward to Fort du Quesne. For this service, twelve hundred 



348 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

men with twelve pieces of cannon, were sent forward, com- 
manded by General Braddock in person. 

Sir Peter Halkett acted as brigadier, having under him Lieu- 
tenant Colonels Gage and Burton and Major Spark. 

Thirty wagons only, including those with the ammunition, fol- 
lowed. The rest of the army remained under the care of Colo- 
nel Dunbar and Major Chapman. 

The benefit of these prudent measures was lost by the fastidi- 
ousness and presumption of the commander-in-chief, and his 
strong confidence and reckless temerity were destined to a 
speedy and fatal reproof. 

•Having crossed the Monongahela river, and when within 
seven miles of Fort du Quesne, feeling himself secure and joy- 
ously anticipating the coming victory, he was suddenly checked 
by a destructive fire on the front and left flank, from an invisi- 
ble enemy. 

The van was thrown into confusion, but the main body form- 
ing three deep, instantly advanced. The commanding officer 
of the enemy having fallen, it was supposed that the assailants 
had dispersed, as the attack was for a moment suspended, but 
the fire was renewed with great spirit ; the English seeing their 
men falling around them, and unable to see their foe or tell from 
whence the firing came, broke and fled in utter dismay. Had 
he h^«(e availed himself of the advantage his Indians afforded 
him, of reconnoitering the woods and passages on the front and 
flank, as prudently suggested by Sir Peter Halkett, this disaster 
might have been avoided, but he even sneered at the suggestion. 
But, in his astonishment at this sudden and unexpected attack, 
he lost his self-possession, and neither gave orders for a regular 
retreat, nor for his cannon to advance and scour the woods. His 
officers behaved admirably, but distinguished by their dresses, 
and selected by the hidden marksmen, they suffered severely. 
Every one on horseback, except Washington, was killed or 
wounded. He had two horses killed under him, and four balls 
through his coat. Sir Peter Halkett was killed on the spot, and 
the general himself, having been five times dismounted, received 
a ball through the arm and lungs, and was carried from the field. 
He survived only four days. On the first day he did not speak, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 349 

and at night he only made the remark, ^'Who would have 
thought it?" He was again silent, until a few minutes before 
his death, when he observed, "We shall better know how to 
deal with them another time," and in a short time after expired. 
The defeat was total — the carnage unusually great. Sixty-four 
out of eighty-five officers, and one-half of the privates, were 
killed or wounded. Many fell by the arms of their fellow sol- 
diers. Of Captain Stewart's light-horse, twenty-five out of the 
twenty-nine were killed. The defeat of General Braddock, 
which was wholly unexpected, produced great consternation 
throughout all the colonies. Upon the receipt of intelligence of 
this extraordinary event, as Governor Belcher properly termed 
it, he summoned the assembly of New Jersey to meet him on 
the ist of August, but it was not until the approach of winter 
that they became fully aware of its disastrous consequences, and 
began to prepare against them. 

The enemy discovering the defenceless state of the frontiers, 
now roamed fearlessly and unmolested along the western lines of 
Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and conunitted the most 
appalling outrages and cruelties, which the cupidity and ferocity 
of the savage could dictate. Their first inroads were in Cum- 
berland county, Pennsylvania, from whence they were soon ex- 
tended to the Susquehana, and thence through Berks and North- 
ampton counties, across the Delaware into New Jersey. 

They were joined by the Shawanese and Delaware Indians, 
who had hitherto remained faithful to the colonists. They com- 
mitted depradations the most horrible, laying in waste towns, 
slaughtering men, women and children; even the settlements of 
the peaceful Moravians, on the Lehigh, were destroyed, and the 
inhabitants slaughtered. They made no prisoners, but murdered 
all who fell into their hands, of both sexes. 

The inhabitants of New Jersey, roused by the sufferings of 
their neighbors, prepared, not only to resist the foe, but to pro- 
tect their friends. Colonel John Anderson was most conspicu- 
ous among the energetic citizens of Sussex county. With four 
hundred men, whom he collected, he scoured the country, 
marched to the defence of Easton, and pursued the dastard enemy, 
unhappily in vain. The governor promptly dispatched troops 



350 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

from all parts of the province to the defence of its western 
frontier, and the wealthy inhabitants advanced the funds requi- 
site for their maintenance, until the assembly, in the middle of 
December, took such troops upon the provincial establishment, 
and recalled their battalion under Colonel Schuyler, from the 
Northern service, where it was then idle, and placed them also 
on the frontier. To meet the expenses thus incurred, the house, 
though greatly chagrined at the rejection, by the king, of their 
bill for a paper currency, voted ten thousand pounds in such bills, 
redeemable at the usual period of five years. 

The marauding parties of French and Indians hung on the 
western frontiers during the winter. 

To guard against their devastations, a chain of forts and block- 
houses were erected by Pennsylvania along the Kittatinny or 
Blue Mountains, from the Delaware river to the Maryland line, 
commanding the principal passes of the mountains. In New 
Jersey, forts and block-houses were also erected along the moun- 
tains, and at favorable points on the east bank of the Delaware 
river. Many of the inhabitants left their homes, and all called 
loudly upon the assembly for additional means of defence ; and 
in the spring, when the Jersey regiment was again to proceed to 
the north, the house authorized the enlistment of two hundred 
and fifty volunteers, to supply their place and that of the militia 
on the frontier. 

In enlisting troops for the approaching campaign, the recruit- 
ing parties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey gave great offence 
to the inhabitants by the reception, if not the seduction of their 
indented servants; and the assembly of the latter province 
threatened to discontinue the regiment they had furnished, un- 
less the grievance was redressed. Circumstances, however, did 
not admit the discharge of such recruits to any great extent, of 
which the house becoming sensible, appropriated fifteen thousand 
pounds for the maintenance ot that regiment for the campaign. 
Extraordinary inducements were offered at this time for enlist- 
ment in the royal regiments. The recruits were exempted from 
service anywhere but in North America, and were promised a 
bounty of two hundred acres of land, free from quit rents for 
ten years, either in the province of New York, New Hampshire, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 351 

or Nova Scotia, at their option, and in case they should be 
killed in the service, it was assured to their children. 

Parliament voted one hundred and fifteen thousand pounds 
sterling, to be distributed at the pleasure of the king, among the 
northern and middle provinces, of which New Jersey received 
five thousand pounds. 

The French, under Montcalm, captured the forts of Ontario and 
Oswego, and destroyed them in the presence of the Six Nation 
Indians, they being situated in their country. At the capture of 
the latter. Colonel Schuyler and half of the New Jersey regiment 
which formed part of the garrison, were taken prisoners and sent 
to Canada, from which place they were not released until the 
end of the campaign, and then on parol, that they would not 
again enter the field for the period of eighteen months. 

The regiment was, however, recruited to its original state of 
five hundred men at the expense of the province early in the , 
spring. 

Discouraged and disconcerted by these events, Loudon re- 
linquished all offensive o-perations, and disposed his troops for 
the defence of the frontier. Renewed efforts to increase his 
force were rendered abortive by the appearance of the small pox 
at Albany, and the troops on the march from New England, and 
the army at Lake George, were panic struck by the irruption of 
an enemy more dreadful than the French, and it became 
necessary to garrison all the posts with British troops, and to 
discharge the provincialists, excepting one regiment, raised in 
New York. Thus terminated for a second time, in defeat and 
utter dssappointment, the sanguine hopes, formed by the 
colonists, of a brilliant and successful campaign. Much labor 
had been employed, and a large amount of money expended, in 
collecting, by land, from a great distance, troops, provisions, 
and military stores, at Albany, and in transporting them through 
an almost unsettled country to Lake George, yet not an effort 
had been made to drive the invaders even from their outposts at 
Ticonderoga. 

The treaty with Teedyuscung had neutralized the Delaware 
and Shawanese tribes on the Susquehana, but the country was 
still exposed to the inroads of the French and western Indians. 
During the spring and summer months of 1757, the county of 



352 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Essex was kept in continual abrm by scalping parties, some of 
whom penetrated to within thirty miles of Philadelphia, many 
of whom paid with their lives the just penalty of their temerity. 
But their sufferings were not to be compared with those of the 
unfortunate inhabitants. Incessant anxiety pervaded every 
family in the invested districts ; their slumber was broken by the 
yell of demons, or by dread of attack, scarce less horrible than 
their actual presence. 

They plowed their ground, sowed their seed, and gathered 
their harvest, in constant fear of the tomahawk and rifle of the 
savages. Even the women visiting their sick neighbors and 
relatives, were either shot or captured ; and the children driving 
home the cattle from pasture, were killed and scalped. Many 
of the wealthiest neighborhoods were deserted, and property of 
every kind abandoned ; extraordinary heroism frequently dis- 
played by men, women and children, in defence of themselves 
and their homes, and in pursuit of, and combat with the enemy. 
On the part of the authorities both of Great Britain and the 
provinces, great want of ability and energy was displayed. Had 
proper means been taken, much suffering might have been 
prevented, especially as it regarded non-combatants, who were 
innocent parties to the war. United counsels, and well directed 
efforts would have driven the barbarians to their savage haunts, 
and with the chastisement given them at Kittatining, they would 
have been compelled to sue for peace. The assembly of New 
Jersey, however, was not regardless of the danger and suffering 
of her frontier citizens, and kept on foot, for their protection, a 
body of rangers, consisting of one hundred and twenty men, 
under Captain Gardiner, who, although they were unable to 
prevent occasional irruptions of the foe, gave as much security to 
the frontier as circumstances would admit. 

In the middle of January, Lord Louden summoned the gov- 
ernors of the New England provinces to New York, and in no 
very good humor, attributed to them the disasters of the late 
campaign. He told them that " their enterprise against Crown 
Point had not been timely communicated to the ministry, that 
their troops were inferior to his expectations, disposed to insub- 
.ordination, and less numerous than had been promised that the 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 353 

true state of the garrisons had not been reported to him, and the 
provincial legislatures had given him votes instead of men and 
money." He concluded this reprimand with a requisition for 
additional troops from New England, New York and New 
Jersey. His demands were generally complied with, and in the 
spring he was placed at the head of a respectable army, thereby 
giving him no further cause for complaint on this account. 

The force he required from New Jersey was one thousand men, 
but the assembly conceiving five hundred to be their full pro- 
portion, refused to do more than complete their regiment, and 
in answer to the proposal of Governor Belcher, that they should, 
as New England had done, authorize a draft or conscription, 
they peremptorily declared, by a vote of twelve to seven, " that 
they were determined not to oblige or compel any of the 
inhabitants by force to serve as soldiers." 

Early in July, Admiral Holburn arrived at Louisburg with a 
large squadron of ships and five thousand land forces, and was 
after many delays joined by Lord Loudon, with six thousand 
regulars. Much was properly anticipated from this formidable 
army, but the procrastination of the commander-in-chief doomed 
the country to severe disappointment. For before his prepara- 
tions were completed, the French had occupied Louisburg with 
a superior force, dispatched from Brest, a fortified city and the 
strongest military post in France ; and against which Lord 
Loudon was not disposed to contend. The enemy was not slow 
to avail himself of the advantages which might accrue to him by 
the withdrawal of the British troops from the northern frontiers 
of New York. Montcalm, at the head of nine thousand men, 
drawn principally from Crown Point, Ticonderoga, and the 
neighboring forts, with some Canadians and Indians, invested 
Castle William on the southern shore of Lake George. This 
place was garrisoned by three thousand men, including the 
unfortunate Jersey regiment ; was well fortified and supplied 
with necessaries, but Colonel Monroe was compelled to surrender 
it within six days after its investment. Montcalm's triumph was 
stained by the barbarities of his Indian allies, and though he 
exerted himself to protect his prisoners, the massacre of many 
will ever be coupled with his name. Major General Webb made 



354 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

strenuous exertions to relieve the fort by arousing the militia of 
New York and New Jersey. From the latter state one thousand 
men were immediately dispatched, and three thousand put in 
readiness to march in case they should be required. 

The New Jersey regiment with other prisoners, were released, 
and returned to New York under parole, not to serve again 
during eighteen months, and being thus rendered useless, were, 
at the instance of the assembly, disbanded. This regiment, 
after the capture of Colonel Schuyler, was commanded by Colo- 
nel Parker. 

Governor Jonathan Belcher died on the 31st of August, 1757, 
in the 76th year of his age. 

During the preceding two years, his health had been so infirm 
that he summoned the assembly to attend him at Elizabeth, 
which gave them considerable dissatisfaction. 

The house was opposed to being made a secondary tool 01 
the executive, to go wherever his convenience dictated, but they 
nevertheless attended Governors Morris and Belcher, when ill- 
ness prevented these officers from getting to Burlington or 
Amboy, with great reluctance, and protested at all times against 
their acquiescence establishing a precedent, and they explicitly 
refused to adjourn from Burlington to Trenton, on the request 
of his successor, Mr. Reading, although his health also required 
their indulgence. 

Governor Belcher was a native of New England, and in early 
youth inherited an ample fortune, which enabled him to visit 
Europe, and to mingle extensively in the best society, until his 
lavish expenditure dissipated his wealth. 

When he was governor of Massachusetts, his administration at 
Boston was distinguished by his fondness for ostentation and 
his imperious deportment, and he finally so disgusted the influ- 
ential men of that province, by rejecting several respectable per- 
sons nominated to the council, that they successfully united to 
effect his removal. He remained for several years unemployed, 
until he was appointed to the government of New Jersey. " He 
was now advanced in age, yet lively, diligent in his station, and 
circumspect in his conduct, religious, generous and affable. He 
affected splendor, at least equal to his rank and fortune, but was 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 355 

a man of worth and honor, and though in his last years, under 
great debility of body from a stroke of the palsy, he bore up with 
firmness and resignation, and went through the business of his 
government in the most difficult part of the war with unremitting 
zeal, in the duties of his office."* 

By the death of Mr. Belcher, the administration of the govern- 
ment devolved for the second time on Mr. John Reading, the 
oldest of the councillors, but, in consequence of his age and in- 
firmity, he at first refused, and finally assumed its duties with 
great reluctance. For more than a month the government was 
directed by the whole council, at whose instance, on the appli- 
cation of Lord Loudon, the Assembly voted one hundred rangers 
to be employed on the frontiers during the winter season. f 



* Smith's New Jersey, p. 488. 

f The captain of this company received six shillings; the lieutenant five ; 
sergeants four ; coiporals three and six pence, and privates three shillings per 
day. And each officer and soldier was furnished at the expense of the colony 
with a blanket, a half-thick under jacket, a kersey jacket lapelled, buckskin 
breeches, two check shirts, two pair of shoes, two pair of stockings, a leather 
cap, and a hatchet. And twenty shillings was allowed to the captain for each 
private he enlisted. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

1758—1775- 

French and English wars — New Jersey raises double the numher 
of me7i called for — Governor Bernard pacifies the Indians — 
Five colonial governors appointed by the crown iti as many 
years — The French surrender their possessions on this side of 
the water — Parliament undertakes to tax her American colo- 
nies — Sta7np act — Its repeal. 

WITH the opening of the year 1758, a new era dawned 
upon the colonies, which were aroused by the voice of 
William Pitt, (Earl of Chatham.) 

The enterprise, judgment and rirmness which had raised 
England from the depths of humility, were now emj^loyed for 
the reduction of the American continent. The plan of the 
campaign was wisely matured and committed for execution to 
men who had reputations to lose and fortunes to gain. Lord 
Loudon was recalled. Abercrombie was commander-in-cliief, 
with Amherst for his second, aided by brigadiers Wolf and 
Forbes- The fleet, consisting of one hundred and fifty sail, was 
commanded by Boscawen. 

The objects designated by the campaign as the places of attack, 
were Louisburg, the forts on the lakes and Fort du Quesne. 
Major General Amherst with twelve thousand men, aided by the 
fleet, laid siege to the first, early in June, and captured it, after 
an obstinate defence of seven weeks. 

General Abercrombie, with seven thousand regulars and ten 
thousand colonial troops, undertook the expedition against the 
northern forts. His first attempt was upon the forts at Ticon- 
deroga, which position was strong by nature, and well secured 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. . 357 

by art, being garrisoned by five thousand men. Here he was 
repulsed, with the loss of two thousand men, chiefly killed, 
among whom was Brigadier General Lord Howe, and many other 
distinguished officers. 

Though his force was superior to that of the enemy, he made 
a hasty retreat, for which imprudence he was compensated by 
the capture of Fort Frontignac, on the north side of the river 
St. Lawrence. Although the garrison consisted of one hundred 
and ten men only, the fort contained a large stock of arms, 
stores and provisions, designed for the western posts. Nine 
armed vessels, some of which carried eighteen guns, were also 
taken. Lieutenant Colonel Bradstreet projected and executed 
this enterprise. 

To Brigadier General Forbes was confided the reduction of 
Fort du Quesne. He had a detatchment from General Aber- 
crombie's army, still further strengthened by the militia from 
the south, the whole of which was computed at seven thousand 
eight hundred and fifty men.* 

He was attacked, surrounded by the enemy, ana lost above 
three hundred men, killed and taken prisoners, being himself 
among the latter, the remainder of whom retired in confusion. f 

Colonel Boquet was attacked at Loyal Hannah, in his camp, 
by a force of twelve hundred French and two hundred Indians, 
commanded by De Vetri, on the i ith of October. De Vetri was 
compelled to draw off his force, with considerable loss, after a 
warm combat of four hours' duration. A second attack was made 
during the night, but some shells thrown from the camp com- 
pelled the enemy to retreat. The loss of Colonel Boquet 
amounted to sixty-seven rank and file, killed and wounded. 

On the 24th of November, the French being unsupported by 



* The force was as follows : 

350 Royal Americans, comprising four companies. 
1200 Highlanders, thirteen companies. 
2600 Virginians 
2700 Pennsylvanians. 

1000 Wagoners, comprising the sutlers and followers of the army. Penn. 
Gazette, 1758. 
f This occurred on the 14th of September, 1758. 



358 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

their Indian allies, abandoned Fort du Quesne, burned it and 
escaped by the Ohio river, when General Forbes seized the 
ruined fortifications, hastily repaired and garrisoned them with 
four hundred and fifty provincial troops, under the command 
of Colonel Mercer. 

The remainder of the army was marched into the interior, and 
quartered at Lancaster, Reading and Philadelphia. 

In the preparations for this campaign, we see the power which 
an energetic spirit directed by wisdom, may obtain over the 
mass of mankind. Tlie contributions of the provinces towards 
carrying on the continental war, had, for the last campaigns, 
been merely the cold returns of duty, but in this, the people dis- 
played all the zeal with which men pursue their interest when 
animated by well-founded hopes of success. They were assured 
their combined forces would be applied to remove the enemy 
from the frontiers, and instead of being required to furnish a 
specific quota of troops, each colony was directed to raise as 
large a force as was in its power, with the greatest possible dis- 
patch, and popular men only were commissioned as officers. 
This was done in accordance with the recommendations of Mr. 
Pitt, the prime minister. 

Thus inspirited, the assembly of New Jersey, instead of raising 
reluctantly, five hundred men, doubled that number, and to fill 
the ranks in season, offered a bounty of twelve pounds per man, 
increased the pay of the officers and voted a sum of fifty thou- 
sand pounds for their maintenance. They at the same session 
directed barracks to be built at Burlington, Trenton, New Bruns- 
wick, Perth Amboy, and Elizabethtown, competent each for 
three hundred men. This complement of men New Jersey kept 
up during the years 1758, 1759 and 1760, and in the years 1761 
and 1762, in addition to the one thousand men, they furnished 
six hundred more, besides in the latter year, a company of sixty- 
four men and officers especially for garrison duty, for which she 
incurred an average expense of forty thousand pounds per annum. 

As has been previously stated, during the war between France 
and England for the possession of Canada, and to dislodge 
the French from governing on this continent, New Jersey 
erected barracks at Perth Amboy for the cantonment of British 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 359 

troops ; for the protection of Raritan bay and the Atlantic ocean ; 
at New Brunswick, for the protection of the Raritan river, at 
Burlington, to protect the Delaware river below that point, at 
Elizabeth, for the protection of Newark bay, and Staten Island 
Sound, and the one at Trenton, to protect the Delaware river 
above Burlington. 

In addition to these, forts were built immediately on the 
rivers in the vicinity of the barracks. 

On the loth of September, 1S72, one of these forts was un- 
earthed in the city of Trenton, at the corner of South Warren 
and Ferry streets, a few rods east of the Delaware river. It was 
about twenty by forty feet. The walls on the inside were built 
of stone about two feet in thickness, with a stone bastion or 
bulwark on each corner and outside the stone wall, facing the 
river, was a brick wall, and the space between the two was 
filled with broken stones. 

Quite a number of ancient relics were unearthed in this 
fort, prominent among which were two copper coins of Great 
Britain, bearing date 1737 and 1739; glass bottles of unique 
manufacture, also earthen jugs of very singular appearance. 
The bricks, of which the outer wall was composed, from their 
appearance, were brought from the old country. 

Several bones, evidently of human beings, were also dug up ; 
and these relics of by-gone ages were found in levelling the 
property preparatory to building. The property now belongs 
to George B. Consolly. 

There is no doubt but that among the ruins of the forts 
established during the colonial period of this state, many 
valuable relics may be found, and it would repay our Historical 
Society to cause excavations to be made in the several localities 
designated. 

On the 13th day of June, 1758, President Reading was super- 
ceded by the arrival of Francis Bernard, Esq , who continued to 
govern the province in unbroken harmony with the legislature, 
until the 4th of July, 1760. The principal service rendered by 
this gentleman, was the aid he gave in the pacification of the 
Indians, at the treaty of Easton, in October, 1758. Upon his 



36o HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

transfer to Massachusetts, he was succeeded by Thomas Boone, 
who continued in office a little more than a year, being removed 
to South Carolina, and his place in New Jersey was supplied by 
Josiah Hardy. 

Upon his dismissal, and appointment to the consulate at Cadiz, 
he was succeeded by William Franklin, son of Dr. Benjamin 
Franklin, who was the last of the royal governors. Thus, in 
the space of five years. New Jersey had seen five colonial gov- 
ernors appointed by the crown. These frequent changes proved 
very unacceptable to the colony, which was fully satisfied wiih 
the three first we have named, and would have been satisfied to 
have spared the repeated gift of five hundred pounds usually 
made to the new governor on his arrival, in consideration of the 
expense and trouble of his voyage. This present was not made 
to Governor Franklin. But as the cost of living had considera- 
bly increased by the diminution of the value of money, conse- 
quent on the increased amount of the circulating medium during 
the war, the assembly added two hundred pounds to the annual 
salary, making it twelve hundred pounds. 

Great Britain having resolved to annihilate the French power 
in North America, made adequate preparations for the campaign 
of 1 759. An army of eight thousand men, under General Wolfe, 
was destined to attack Quebec, while General Amherst, with 
twelve thousand regulars and provincial troops, should reduce the 
forts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, cross Eake Champlain, 
and by the rivers Richelieu and St. Lawrence, join Wolfe and 
General Prideaux, assisted by Sir William Johnson, at the head 
of some friendly Indians, were to capture the fort at the Falls of 
Niagara, and proceed by Lake Ontario and Montreal, to unite 
with the other generals. To General Stanwix, was confided the 
southern department, with orders to watch the western frontier 
and to erect proper forts for its defence. 

This stupendous plan was only partially carried into execution. 
Quebec was purchased with the life of the gallant Wolfe, who 
fell at the Plains of Abraham. General Amherst obtained pos- 
session of Crown Point and Ticonderoga, but too late in the 
season to permit him to accomplish the remainder of the plan 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 361 

assigned to him. General Prideaux invested Niagara, but was 
slain in the trenches by the bursting of a shell. Sir William 
Johnson succeeding him in command, captured the fort. But 
it was not until September of the succeeding year, that the great 
object was entirely gained, when by the union of three British 
armies before Montreal, the Marquis de Vandreuil was compelled 
to surrender, by capitulation, the whole of the French possessions 
to his Britanic Majesty. Thus fell the great power of France in 
America. 

The share of the provincials in this result, gave lustre to the 
colonial history of the American States. They had kept in the 
field an average force of twenty-five thousand men during the 
war; had lost thirty thousand of their young men, and contri- 
buted three million five hundred thousand pounds sterling to the 
payment of its expenses.* 

The merit of the victories achieved and of the important posts 
captured, is due solely to the provincial troops. In all the 
marches and battles, they were the principal sufferers, and where 
honor was to be gained, the provincial was distinguished by his 
fortitude in adversity, and his promptitude and courage in the 
hour of peril. 

In January, 1772, Spain became a party to the war, but the 
conflict against the united house of Bourbon was of short dura- 
tion, peace being made with France and Spain on the 3d of 
November, of the same year. Our interest in the treaty was 
only so far as it affected the colonies. France surrendered her 
pretensions to Nova Scotia, and ceded Canada, including 
Louisiana, Spain yielded Florida. In exchange for this mighty 
domain, France received the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon 
near Newfoundland, with a restricted privilege of the fishery, 
and the islands of Martinique, Guadaloupe, Mariagalante, Dese- 
ada and St. Lucia. Spain obtained the restoration of Havana, 
which was more than adequate for Florida, which would not 
have been paid, but with the design of preserving the eastern 
shore of North America from foreign influence. 

*0f this sum, parliament reimbursed, at several times, one million, thirty- 
one thousand six hundred and sixty-six pounds sterling. 



362 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Being in exclusive possession of this immense territory, com- 
prehending nearly one-fifth of the globe, Great Britain and her 
colonies rationally looked forward to its peaceful enjoyment, in 
full confidence that the aboriginal inhabitants, no longer exposed 
to dangerous solicitations, nor supported by alien power, would 
not dare to provoke the resentment of those upon whom they 
must entirely depend for the gratifications supplied by the 
whites. But the cupidity of the savage had been highly excited 
during the late conflict, and as deeply indulged. The present 
unprotected state of the frontier held forth irresistible tempta- 
tions to his whetted appetite for plunder. His barbarities had 
been rather rewarded than chastised. Every treaty brought him 
rich presents, and his detention of prisoners, whom he had again 
and again promised to surrender, was overlooked on slight apolo- 
gies, though obviously done to afford opportunity for new treat- 
ies and additional gifts. They beheld the French driven out 
of the whole country, and themselves in danger of becoming 
wholly dependent upon a power, which, already commanded by 
its forts the great lakes and rivers, and they no doubt felt that 
an immediate and mighty effort was necessary to restrain the 
tide, which, if unimpeded, would spread itself over the continent, 
overwhelming all their nations in its course. 

A secret coalition was formed among the Shawnees, the tribes 
upon the Ohio and its tributary waters, and about Detroit, to 
altack, simultaneously, the English posts and settlements upon 
the frontier. The plan was deliberately and skillfully projected. 
The settlements were to be invaded during harvest, the inhabi- 
tants, with their corn and cattle to be destroyed, and the out- 
posts to be reduced by famine. The Indians fell suddenly upon 
the traders, whom they had invited among them, murdered 
many, and plundered the effects of all to an immense amount. 
The frontiers of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia were 
over-run by scalping parties, committing their usual enormities. 
The out-forts, even the most remote, were assailed about the 
same time, and all immediately fell into the hands of the 
enemy, except Niagara, Detroit, and Fort Pitt, which, being 
larger and better garrisoned, were enabled to stand a longer 
siege. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 363 

As, in the preceding Indian contest, the frontier inhabitants 
were driven in, and the enemy again penetrated into the thickly- 
settled country, but more skill and courage were generally dis- 
played in resisting them. Niagara and Detroit were protected 
by detachments sent to their relief by General Amherst, while 
Colonel Boquet, after much fatigue and a bloody battle, suc- 
ceeded in succoring Fort Pitt. The distressing hostilities con- 
tinued until October, 1764, when they were terminated by Colo- 
nel Boquet, who, with fifteen hundred men, over-ran the Indian 
country in Ohio, compelling the submission of the tribes, and 
releasing many white prisoners. The Indians soon after entered 
into a final and satisfactory treaty with Sir William Johnson, 
who was authorized for that purpose by the crown. 

Governor Franklin, on the approach of the savages to the 
western frontier of New Jersey, ordered out the militia, reman- 
ned the fortifications which had been previously erected, and 
built several new block houses. Yet some parties of Indians 
crossed the Delaware, made their way through the lines, and 
massacred several families. The house met on the 15 th of No- 
vember, when the governor recommended them to provide six 
hundred men, upon the request of General Amherst, to unite 
with other forces to invade the Indian country, and to provide 
more effectually for defence of their own limits. The latter the 
house undertook, directing two hundred men to be raised for 
this purpose, and appropriating ten thousand pounds for their 
support, but they declined to furnish troops for general opera- 
tions, until a general plan should be formed, and a requisi- 
tion should be made for aid to the other colonies. At their 
next session, however, they passed a bill for raising six hundred 
men on condition that a majority of the eastern colonies should 
come into the requisition, and when this bill was rejected by the 
council, and the governor prorogued the house, in order to give 
them an opportunity to bring in another, they authorized the 
force required, provided, New York should contribute her full 
proportion. In this shape the bill passed, and the troops joined 
the northern army. 

A more favorable occasion seemed now to present itself. The 
war which had grown out of American interests, had been honora- 



364 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

bly terminated, and it was supposed, that the provinces, grateful 
for their deliverance, would cheerfully repay the care of a foster- 
ing mother. Nor would such anticipations have been disap- 
pointed, had the designs of the ministry no other consequences 
than a single pecuniary burden upon the people. 

Towards the end of the year 1 763, Mr. Grenville communicated 
to the colonial agents in London, his purpose of drawing a 
revenue from America, by means of a stamp duty imposed by 
act of parliament, and directed them to transmit this intelligence 
to their respective assemblies, that they might suggest any more 
preferable duty, equally productive.* 

The colonies were considered as integral governments, of 
which the crown was the head, having exclusive political power 
within their respective territories, except in cases involving the 
general interests of the empire, in which, from principles of con- 
venience and necessity, they admitted the supremacy of the 
British parliament. 

While the colonists were willing to pay what was just and right 
towards the crown, they were unwilling that parliament should 
impose upon them, and looked upon the proposition as unne- 
cessary, cruel and unjust, and if persisted in determined to resist 
with all the means in their power. 

Mr. Grenville, when forming his American plan of taxation, 
did not consider all its consequences. But, aware that it would 
be opposed, he was desirous of trying an old measure under a 
new aspect, and proposed in distinct terms, to raise a revenue, 
by taxes or colonial imports. This measure, sufficiently obnoxious 
in itself, was accompanied by a resolution of parliament, "that 
it may be proper to charge certain stamp duties in the colonies." 

The act of parliament, based on the first proposition was ex- 
tremely onerous to the American trade, the duties thereby im- 
posed amounting almost to a prohibition of commercial intercourse 
with the French and Spanish colonies. f It is true, that this 



* The sum required by Mr. Grenville, was one hundred thousand pounds 
sterling. 

f This act was entitled, " An act for granting certain duties in the British 
colonies and plantations, in America, for continuing, amending and making 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 365 

trade, previous to the passage of the act of which we now speak, 
was unlawful, but it was connived at, and was highly profitable, 
furnishing to the provinces gold and silver for their remittances 
to England. The minister in his care to prevent smuggling, did 
not pause to consider the difference between an advantageous 
trade in the western hemisphere, and the illicit commerce on the 
British coast. Converting naval officers into officers of the 
customs, he nearly destroyed the whole colonial trade with the 
Spanish and French islands. The preamble to the new impost 
law, declaring it to be just and necessary, that a revenue should 
be raised in America, and the resolution to follow it up, with a 
stamp act, gave an unequivocal and odious character to the law, 
and sent it forth to the colonies, the pioneer of a system of 
boundless oppression. 

The revenue act became still more unpopular, by the means 
used to enforce it. The penalties for breach of its provisions, 
were made recoverable in the courts of admiralty, without the 
intervention of a jury, before judges dependent upon the crown, 
and drawing their salaries from forfeitures, adjudged by them- 
selves. The duties were required to be paid in gold and silver, 
now scarcely attainable, and consequently, the paper currency, 
more than ever necessary, was rejected and depreciated. 

The impressions caused by these measures on the public mind, 
was uniform throughout America. The legislature of Massa- 
chusetts, whose population, essentially commercial, felt most 
severely the late restrictions, was the first to notice them. That 



perpetual, an act passed in the sixth year of the reign of his late Majesty, King 
George II, (entitled an act for the better securing and encouraging the trade of 
His Majesty's sugar colonies in America), for applying the produce of such 
duties, and of the duties to arise by virtue of said act, towards defraying the ex 
penses of defending, protecting and securing the said colonies and plantations, 
for explaining an act, made in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of King 
Charles II, (entitled an act for the encouragement of the Greenland and East- 
land trades, and for the better securing the plantation trade,) and for allowing 
and disallowing several drawbacks on exports from this kingdom, and thus 
effectually preventing the clandestine conveyance of goods, to and from the 
fiaid colonies and plantations, and improving and securing the trade between 
the same and Great Britain." 



366 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

body resolved, "That the act of parliament relating to the sugar 
trade with foreign colonies, and the resolution of the house of 
commons, in regard to stamp duties, and other taxes proposed to 
be laid on the colonies, had a tendency to deprive the colonists of 
their most essential rights, as British subjects and as men — 
particularly the right of assessing their own taxes, and of being 
free from any impositions, but such as they consented to by them- 
selves or representatives. 

They directed Mr. Manduit, their agent in London, to remon- 
strate against the ministerial measures, to solicit a repeal of the 
sugar act, and to deprecate the imposition of further duties and 
taxes on the colonies. They addressed the assemblies of the 
other provinces, requesting them to unite in a petition against 
the designs of the ministry, and to instruct their agents to re- 
monstrate against attempts so destructive to the liberty, the 
commerce and prosperity of the colonies. The colony of Rhode 
Island proposed to the provincial assemblies, to collect the sense 
of all the colonies, and unite in a common petition to the King 
and parliament. 

All the efforts of the American colonies to stay the mad career 
of the English ministry, proved unavailing. The stamp act was 
passed with slight opposition by the commons, and unanimity by 
the Lords.* 

Dr. Franklin who had been dispatched to Europe, in Novem- 
ber, 1764, as the agent of Pennsylvania, labored earnestly to avert 
a measure, which his sagacity and perfect knowledge of the 
American people, taught him was pregnant with danger to the 
British empire. But, even he does not appear to have entertained 
the idea that it would be forcibly resisted. He wrote to Mr. 
Charles Thompson : " The sun of liberty is set, you must li^ht 
up the candles of industry and economy." To which Mr. 
Thompson replied; "He was apprehensive that other lights 
would be the consequence." To Mr. Ingersoll, the agent of 



*The stamp act was passed on the 22d of March, 1765. It was under the 
consideration of parliament in March of the foregoing year, but was postponed, 
it was said, by the exertion of Mr. Allen, chief justice of Pennsylvania, at that 
time on a visit to London. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 367 

Connecticut, the doctor said : ''Go home and tell your people 
to get children as fast as they can." Intimating that the period 
for successful resistance had not yet arrived. 

The ministry desirous of rendering the stamp act as little ob- 
noxious as possible, resolved to appoint the officers of distribution 
and collection, from among the discreet and reputable inhabitants 
of the provinces. But, there was no means by which to reconcile 
the people to a law, every where regarded as the forerunner of 
political slavery. The stamp officers, either voluntarily or com- 
pulsorily, resigned their offices ; some were hung or burned in 
efifigy, in several of the provinces, and violent outrages were com- 
mitted on the person and property of the deputy governor and 
other officers, at Boston. William Coxe, Esq., who had been 
appointed stamp officer for New Jersey, voluntarily resigned his 
office in September, 1765. Subsequently, upon the application 
of the Sons of Liberty of East Jersey, he published a copy of his 
letter of resignation, which had been made to the commissioners 
of the treasury, and declared that he had appointed no deputy, 
and would never act under the law. Towards the end of Novem- 
ber, a number of the inhabitants of Salem county, learning that 
a Mr. John Hatton was desirous to be employed in the dis- 
tribution of stamps, compelled him to a similar declaration. 

On Saturday, the 5th of October, the ship Royal Charlotte* 
bearing the stamp papers for New Jersey, Maryland and Penn- 
sylvania, convoyed by a sloop of v/ar arrived at Philadelphia. 
As these vessels rounded Gloucester Point, all those in the harbor 
hoisted their colors at half-mast ; the bells were muffled, and 
every countenance assumed the semblance of affliction. At four 
o'clock in the afternoon, many thousand citizens assembled at the 
State House to consider the means to prevent the distribution of 
the stamps. Their deliberations resulted in forcing Mr. Hughes, 
the stamp officer, most reluctantly to decline the exercise of his 
office, and in securing the stamps on board of his Majesty's 
sloop of war, Sabine. 

The universal refusal of the colonists to submit to the stamp 
act, occasioned the entire suspension of legal proceedings. In 
some of the provinces, however, business was speedily resumed, 
and in nearly all, the penalties of the act were set at defiance 



26S HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

before its repeal. The members of the bar in New Jersey, met 
at New Brunswick about the middle of February, 1766, to con- 
sider the propriety of continuing their practice ; and being 
waited on by a deputation of the Sons of Liberty, who expressed 
their dissatisfaction at the suspension of law proceedings, they 
determined at all hazards to recommence business on the first of 
the ensuing April. At the same time deputies from the self-con- 
stituted regulators of public affairs, waited on Mr. White, pro- 
thonotary of the county of Hunterdon, who was induced by their 
politeness, as well as by their energy, to promise that his office 
should be re-opened at the same period. By law the stamp duty 
was to commence on the first of November. On the previous 
day the newspapers generally were put in mourning for their 
approaching extinction, the editors having resolved to suspend 
their publication until some plan should be devised to protect them 
from the penalties for publishing without stamps. The term of 
suspension was, however, short. On the 7th of November, a 
half sheet was issued from the office of the Pennsylvania Gazette, 
without title or mark of designation, headed, " JV(? stamped '^z.^tx 
to be had," and on the 14th another, entitled, ^^ Remarkable 
occurrences.^^ Both were in form of the Gazette, which, after the 
2ist, was again regularly published.''' 

Associations were formed in every part of the continent for the 
encouragement of domestic manufactures, and against the use of 
those imported from Great Britain. To increase their quantity 
of wool, they determined to kill no lambs, and to use all the 
means in their power to multiply their flocks of sheep. 

The association styled the '* Sons of Liberty,'' originated in 
Connecticut and New York, which very soon extended into New 
Jersey and other colonies. They bound themselves, among other 
things, to march to any part of the continent at their own ex- 
pense, to support the British constitution in America, by which 
was expressly stated to be understood the prevention of any 
attempt which might anywhere be made to carry the stamp act 
into operation. 

A corresponding committee of the Sons of Liberty was 

*Pennsylvania Gazette. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 369 

established, who addressed letters to certain conspicuous charac- 
ters throughout the colonies, and contributed materially to 
increase the spirit of opposition, and perhaps the turbulence 
with which it was in some places attended. 

On receipt of the intelligence of the passage of the stamp act, 
several of the colonial legislatures, of which Virginia was the 
first, asserted the exclusive right of the assemblies to lay taxes 
and impositions on the inhabitants of the colonies respectively. 
But the house of representatives of Massachusetts contemplating 
a still more solemn and effectual expression of the general senti- 
ment, and pursuing the suggestion of Rhode Island, recom- 
mended a congress of deputies from all the colonial assemblies 
to meet at New York on the first Tuesday in October, to consult 
on the present circumstances of the colonies. Circular letters 
signed by the speaker, communicating this recommendation, 
were addressed, respectively, to the speakers of the assemblies in 
the other provinces. Wherever the legislatures were in session, 
this communication was immediately acted upon. 

It was laid before the assembly of New Jersey on the 20th of 
June, 1765, on the last day of their session, when the house was 
there, and the members, as Governor Franklin asserts, determined 
" unanimously, after deliberate consideration, against connecting on 
that occasion,^'' and directed a letter to be written at the table, to 
the speaker of Massachusetts Bay, acquainting him with their 
determination. The house, at a subsequent session, question,* 

* June 27th, 1766. The statement of the assembly is curious, and evidently 
betrays a design to make the best of a circumstance, with the remembrance of 
which, they were not very content. They say — " This house acknowledges 
the letter from the Massachusetts Bay ; that it was on the last day ©f the session^ 
some members gone, others uneasy to be at their homes ; and do assert, that, 
the then speaker agreed to send, nay urged, that members should be sent to the 
intended congress; but changed his opinion upon some " advice" that was 
given to him ; that this sudden change of his opinion displeased many of the 
house, who seeing the matter dropped, were indifferent about it; and as no 
minute was made, and no further notice taken of it, the house is at a loss to 
determine whence his excellency could get the information, that the house took 
the same into "deliberate consideration," "determined" (as his excellency 
says from their own words) " unanimously against connecting!^ on that 

2 A 



370 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

but do not disprove this statement. But this determination was 
so highly condemned by their constituents, that the speaker 
found it necessary, in order to avoid the indignation of the 
people, and to preserve the public peace, to convene the mem- 
bers by circulars at Amboy, and with them proceed to the 
nomination of delegates to the convention of New York, consist- 
ing of Mr. Ogden, the speaker, Mr. Hendrick Fisher and Mr. 
Joseph Borden. 

This measure was severely reprehended by the governor, and 
caused an angry contention between him and the assembly. 

Delegates from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, 
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and 
South Carolina, assembled at New York, at the time appointed. 
New Hampshire, Georgia, Virginia and North Carolina were not 
represented, but the two former gave assurances of their disposi- 
tion to unite in a petition to the King and parliament. 

The assemblies of the two latter not having been in session 
since the proposition for a congress had been made, had no 
opportunity to act upon the subject. 

This congress adopted a declaration of rights and grievances, 
upon which they founded a petition to the King, and a memorial 
to parliament. 

occasion ; " they have recollected the whole transaction, carefully examined 
their minutes, and can find nothing like it inserted therein ; an answer to the 
Massachusetts letter was written, and if the expressions his excellency men- 
tions, were made use of in it, this house is at a loss to know how they are ac- 
countable for it, when it does not appear to be an act of the house ; but reflec- 
tion on this passage, satisfies the house that his excellency has more knowledge 
of the contents of the letter in answer, than the members of the house them- 
selves." It is impossible not to perceive that the members of this assembly, 
had not that vivid sense of evil resulting from the stamp act, which was dis- 
played in other colonies, particularly, when we consider that this was the first 
opportunity for expressing their sentiments upon the odious pretentions of 
parliament. Upon their return to their constituents, however, the members im- 
bibed opinions and zeal more befitting the times ; and hence we have 
additional evidence, that, resistance to British oppressions, was not produced 
by the efforts of a few leading and aspiring men, but was the spontaneous act 
of a high spirited people, well instructed in their rights, and resolutely de- 
termined to maintain them. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 371 

In these they claimed the full privileges of English subjects, 
averred the plenary legislative power of the colonial assemblies, 
protested against taxation by parliament, and dispensing of the 
trial by jury; and earnestly pressed upon the attention of the 
parent state, the burdens imposed by the stamp and other acts, 
with the utter impossibility of continuing the execution of the 
former, in consequence of the drain of specie it would produce. 
A difference of opinion prevailed upon the question, whether the 
petitions and memorials should be signed and transmitted by the 
congress, or be sanctioned and forwarded by the provincial 
assemblies, as their several acts. Messrs. Ruggles of Massa- 
chusetts, the chairman of the convention, and Ogden of New 
Jersey, believing in the propriety of the latter mode, refused to 
sign with the other delegates ; but their conduct was censured 
by their constituents, and Mr. Ogden, therefore, resigned his 
seat in the assembly, which was convened by the governor, at his 
special instance,* that they might consider and adopt the best 
mode of expressing their sense of the obnoxious measures. 

he house received from Messrs. Fisher and Borden their re- 
port of the proceedings of the congress, and, unanimously 
approved them, voting their thanks to those gentlemen for the 
faithful and judicious discharge of the trust reposed in them. 
Mr. Courtland Skinner, the newly elected speaker, Mr. John 
Johnson, Mr. John Lawrence and David Cooper were appointed 
to correspond with Joseph Sherwood, Esq., the agent of the 
colony in Great Britain, which was accordingly done, and a 
long petition was unanimously adopted by the house, setting 
forth that the stamp act was utterly subversive of the privileges 
inherent to, and originally secured by grants and confirmations 
from the crown of Great Britain to the settlers of this colony; 
that His Majesty's subjects inhabiting the province, are from the 
strongest motives of duty, fidelity and gratitude, inviolably 
attached to his royal person and government, and had ever 
shown, and will show the utmost readiness and alacrity for 
acceding to the constitutional requisitions of the crown, as they 
have been from time to time made to this colony. That His 

* November 27th, 1765. 



372 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Majesty's subjects are entitled to all the inherent rights and lib- 
erties of his natural born subjects, within the kingdom of Great 
Britain That it is inseparably essential to the freedom of a 
people, and the undoubted right of Englishmen, that no taxes be 
imposed upon them, but with their own consent, given personally, 
or by their representatives. That the people of this colony are 
not, and from their remote situation cannot be represented in the 
parliament of Great Britain ; and if the principle of taxing the 
colonies without their consent, should be adopted, the people 
here would be subjected to the taxation of two legislatures, a 
grievance unprecedented, and not to be thought of without the 
greatest anxiety. That the only representatives of the people of 
this colony are persons chosen by, themselves ; and that no taxes 
ever have been, or can be, imposed on them, agreeably to the 
constitution of this province, granted and confirmed by His 
Majesty's most gracious predecessors, but by their own legisla- 
ture. That all supplies being free gifts ; for the people of Great 
Britain to grant to His Majesty the property of the people of 
this colony without their consent, and being represented, would 
be unreasonable, and render useless legislation in this colony in 
the most essential point. That the profits of trade arising from 
this colony, centering in Great Britian, eventually contributed 
to the supplies granted there to the crown. That the giving 
unlimited power to any subject or subjects, to impose what taxes 
they please in the colonies, under the mode of regulating the 
prices of stamped vellum, parchment and paper, appears to us 
unconstitutional, contrary to the rights of the subject, and 
apparently dangerous in its consequences. That any incum- 
brance which, in effect, restrains the liberty of the press in Ameri- 
ca, is an infringement of the subject's liberty. That the exten- 
sion of the powers of the court of admiralty, within this province, 
beyond its ancient limits, is a violent innovation of the right of 
trial by jury — a right which this house, upon the principles of 
their British ancestors, hold most dear and invaluable. That, 
as the trancjuillity of this country hath been interrupted through 
fear of the dreadful consequences of the stamp act, that, therefore, 
the officers of the government, who go on in their offices for the 
good and peace of the province, in the accustomed manner, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 373 

while things'are in their present unsettled situation, will, in the 
opinion of this house, be entitled to the countenance of the 
legislature ; and it is reccommended to our constituents, to use 
what endeavors lie in their power to preserve the peace, quiet, 
harmony and good order of the government; that no heats, dis- 
orders and animosities, may in the least, obstruct the united en- 
deavors, that are now strongly engaged for repealing the act 
above mentioned, and other acts affecting the trade of the 
colonies. 

The eleven reasons were at once forwarded to our agent at 
Great Britain, to be laid before parliament. 

On the other side of the Atlantic, Colonel Isaac Barre, in the 
house of commons, was the champion of the people on this 
side. 

Mr. Charles Townshend, one of the ministers, propounded this 
inquiry: — ''And now, will these Americans, children planted 
by our care, nourished up by our indulgence, till they are grown 
to a degree of strength and opulence, and protected by our 
arms — will they grudge to contribute their mite to relieve us 
from the heavy weight of that burden which we lie under." 

Instantly Colonel Isaac Barre arose to reply. He had before 
spoken, and was one of the very few who knew how to appreciate 
the Americans. His words were listened to with the attention 
they deserved. Taking up Townshend's interrogation, he ex- 
claimed : ^' They planted l?y YOVR. care! No; yoMX oppressions 
planted them in America. They fled from your tyranny, to a 
then uncultivated and inhospitable country, where they exposed 
themselves to all the hardships to which human nature is liable, 
and among others, to the cruelty of a savage foe, the most sub- 
tile, and I will take upon me to say, the most formidable of any 
people upon the face of God's earth ; yet, actuated by principles 
of true English liberty, that met all hardships with pleasure, 
compared with those they suffered in their own country, from the 
hands of those that should have been their friends. 

'' They nourished up by your indulgence ! They grew by your 
neglect of them. As soon as you began to care for them, that 
care was exercised in sending persons to rule them in one depart- 
ment and another, who were, perhaps the deputies of deputies 



374 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

to some members of this house, sent to spy out their liberties, to 
mi^irepresent their actions, and to prey upon them ; men whose 
behaviour, on many occasions, has caused the blood of those 
Sons of Liberty to recoil within them — men promoted to the 
highest seats of justice ; some who, to my knowledge, were glad 
by going to a free country, to escape being brought to the bar 
of a court of justice in their own. 

" They protected by your arms ! Those Sons of Liberty 
have nobly taken up arms in your defence, have exerted their 
valor amidst their constant and laborious industry for the defence 
of a country whose frontier was drenched in blood, while its 
interior parts yielded all its little savings to your emolument. 
And believe me — remember, I this day told you so, — that same 
spirit of freedom which actuated that people at first, will 
accompany them still ; but prudence forbids me to explain my- 
self further. God knows, I do not at this time speak from any 
motives of party heat j what I deliver are the genuine sentiments 
of my heart. However superior to me, in general knowledge 
and experience, the respectable body of this house may be, yet 
I claim to know more of America than most of you, having seen 
and been conversant with their country. The people, I believe, 
are as truly loyal as any subjects the king has, but a people 
jealous of their liberties, and who will vindicate them, if ever 
they should be violated. But the subject is too delicate — I will 
say no more." 

Barre's eloquence had its effect, but it was only momentary j 
the bill passed by a vote of two hundred and forty-five to forty- 
nine ; there was no division or the slightest opposition in the 
Lords; and on the 22d of March 1765, the royal assent was 
given, and the stamp act became a law. 

Barre's words had been heard in the gallery by an American, 
who wrote them out, sent them across the Atlantic, and by mid- 
summer, they were as familiar as household words to the Ameri- 
cans, and the name of Sons of Liberty cheered and strengthened 
the hearts of thousands to dare and do in behalf of their rights. 
It was on the very night of the passage of the bill, that Dr. Frank- 
lin being then in London, wrote to his friend Charles Thompson, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 375 

the words quoted on a previous page, and received from him, 
the significant reply also there stated. 

The Virginia assembly was in session in May of the same year 
when the news arrived of the passage of these acts, when Patrick 
Henry denounced them in the severest terms, and offered resolu- 
tions condemnatory of the principles of taxation as adopted by 
parliament. 

Upon them a violent debate ensued, which was protracted for 
hours, Henry, roused by imputations freely uttered by those 
who opposed action, exclaimed — "Csesar had his Brutus, Charles 
I his Cromwell and George IH" — 

"Treason!" cried the speaker — "Treason!" echoed from 
every part of house. " It was one of those trying moments," as 
Mr. Wirt well says, " which are decisive of character." 

Henry faltered not for an instant, but rising to a loftier atti- 
tude, and -fixing on the speaker an eye of the most determined 
fire, he finished his sentence with the firmest emphasis, — "and 
George III may profit by their example ! If this be treason, sir, 
make the most of it."* 

In Massachusetts, James Otis ably defended the colonists. 

The pressure in Great Britain by the people by the injury 
of their trade to the colonies was so strong that the ministry 
was compelled to resign, and others were appointed in their 
places. While efforts were put forth on this side of the Atlantic 
to obtain redress for American grievances, the colonial agents, 
the friends of freedom and equal rights, and the merchants 
interested in the American trade, were not idle in Great Britain. 

The refusal to import her manufactures touched her in a vital 
part. The great diminution for orders for goods, compelled a 
powerful class of traders to advocate liberal principles, who, 
under other circumstances, would have gladly sustained any 
policy which might have had a tendency to lessen their burden 
of taxation. 

The lofty position assumed by the Americans was intolerable. 
They had long been viewed as men of an inferior race. The 
arrogant philosophy of Europe had placed them and the animal 

* Wirt's '• Life of Patrick Henry," p. Zt,. 



376 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

productions of the country low in the scale of perfectability. By 
the mass of the vulgar portion of the English, they were ranked 
with savages and negroes. The colonies, the dependencies of 
Great Britain, on which she had, for years, poured forth the 
scourings of her prisons, had denied her supremacy, and refused 
to submit to her parliament, hitherto deemed throughout her vast 
empire, politically omnipotent. With the sin of a rebellious 
temper, they were also charged with ingratitude. Under the 
pressure of accumulated debt and heavy taxation, the English 
people envied the display of wealth by the provincialists in the 
late war, and forgot that its exhibition was made in the common 
cause, with a generosity which had enforced from English 
justice, the return of more than a million sterling. Thus sup- 
ported, the ministry which sought relief for the people, by tax- 
ing American industry, would scarcely have been driven from 
their purpose. But other causes transferred the government to 
other statesmen, whom consistency required, at least, to reverse 
measures which they had denounced with unqualified reproba- 
tion. 

Under the new ministers an inquiry was instituted into the 
effects of the colonial policy of their predecessors. The merchants 
and manufacturers gave ample testimony of the paralysis in trade, 
while Dr. Franklin, as the representative of America, before a 
committee of the whole house of commons, demonstrated the 
impossibility of levying the new impositions, and the consequent 
necessity of the repeal. The majority of parliament was now 
divided into two parties. The larger one affirmed the right to 
tax the colonies, but denied the expediency of its present exer- 
cise ; the other, led by Mr. Pitt, repudiated this right, on the 
ground that all aids are gifts from the people, and can never be 
legally obtained without their assent ; and that this assent could 
not be had in parliament, since the colonists were not there repre- 
sented. A repeal on these principles, however just, according to 
the English constitution, would not have saved the pride of the 
nation, and would have destroyed the hopes of future revenue at 
the will of parliament. Hence the repeal of the stamp act, which 
took place on the eighteenth of March, by a vote of two hundred 
and seventy-five, to one hundred and sixty-seven, was accompanied 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 377 

by a declaration of the right of parliament to tax America. It 
was followed by an act indemnifying those who had incurred 
penalties on account of stamp duties. The tidings of this event 
were received in America with joy more temperate than might 
have been expected from the excitement of the public mind. 

At the meeting of the assembly of New Jersey in June, 1766, 
Governor Franklin congratulated the house on the repeal of the 
odious stamp act ; to which, however, he had been but little 
accessory, and while he lauded, with the warmth becoming a 
dependent of the crown, " the tenderness, levity and condescen- 
sion, the wisdom, justice and equity which His Majesty and the 
parliam.ent had manifested on this signal occasion," he carefully 
refrained from reminding the niembers of the obstacles he had 
endeavored to raise to their action on the case, and the severity 
with which he reprehended them for sending delegates to the 
New York convention, and their approval of its proceedings. 
The assembly did not fail to use so favorable an opportunity for 
retaliation, rendered more poignant that the moderation of the 
province had received the commendation of the ministry ; but 
the house would have enjoyed its triumph with forbearance, had 
not the governor by an angry message drawn forth a severe 
retort. 

When the repeal came up in parliament, William Pitt, who 
was not connected with either the Grenville or the Rockingham 
ministry, and who was not present when the act was passed, and 
had taken but little part in public affairs, owing to ill health, 
now appeared in his place in the house, and strongly advocated 
its repeal. He said — " It is a long time, Mr. Speaker, since I 
have attended in parliament : when the resolution was taken in 
this house to tax America, I was ill in bed. If I could have 
endured to have been carried in my bed, so great was the agita- 
tion of my mind for the consequences, I would have solicited 
some kind hand to have laid me down on this floor to have borne 
my testimony against it. It is my opinion that this kingdom 
has no right to lay a tax upon the colonies. At the same time, 
I assert the authority of this kingdom to be sovereign and 
supreme in every circumstance of government and legislature 
whatsoever. Taxation is no part of the governing or legislative 



378 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

power ; and taxes are a voluntary gift and grant of the commons 
alone. This house represents the commons of Great Britain. 
When in this house we give and grant, therefore, we give and 
grant what is our own ; but, can we give and grant the property 
of the commons of America? It is an absurdity in terms. 
There is an idea in some, that the colonies are virtually repre- 
sented in this house. I would fain know by whom ? The idea 
of virtual representation is the most contemptible that ever 
entered into the head of man ; it does not deserve a serious 
refutation. The commons in America, represented in their 
several assemblies, have invariably exercised this constitutional 
right of giving and granting their own money ; they would have 
been slaves if they had not enjoyed it. 

"The colonies acknowledged your authority in all things, with 
the sole exception that you shall not take their money out of 
their pockets without their consent. Hese would I draw the 
line — quam ultra citraque vequit consistere rectum^ 

A profound silence succeeded these words, and for a time no 
one seemed disposed to advocate the cause of the late ministry. 
At length, Grenville* himself, a man of no mean powers, rose 
and said, '' protection and obedience are reciprocal ; Great 
Britain protects America ; America is therefore, bound to yield 
obedience. If not, tell me when were the Americans emanci- 
pated?" Looking significantly at Mr. Pitt, he exclaimed, "the 
seditious spirit of the colonies owes its birth to the factions in 
this house ! Gentlemen are careless what they say, provided it 
serves the purposes of opposition. We were told, we trod on 
tender ground j we were bid to expect disobedience ; what is 

*Grenville was the brother-in-law of Pitt, and received at his hands, a " so- 
briquet that annoyed him not a little. On one occas on, in the course of de- 
bate, he had called on the gentleman opposite to him, to say where an addi. 
tional tax could be laid. '' Let them tell me where," he repeated fretfully. 
" I say, sir, let them tell me where ; I repeat it, sir, I am entitled to say to 
them, tell me where " Pitt, who was in the house that evening, in a whining 
tone resembling Grenville's, hummed a line of a well known song, '' Gentle 
Shepherd, tell me where." Grenville was in a rage, but the house laughed 
heartily. The nickname, " Gentle Shepherd," stuck to him, and it was long 
before it was forgotten. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 379 

this but telling America to stand out against the law? To en- 
courage their obstinacy with the expectation of support here ? 
Ungrateful people of America ! The nation has run itself into 
an immense debt to give them protection ; bounties have been 
extended to them ; in their favor, the act of navigation, that 
palladium of British commerce, has been relaxed ; and now that 
they are called upon to contribute a small share towards the pub- 
lic expense, they renounce your authority, insult your officers, 
and break out, I might almost say, into open rebellion !" 

The insinuation was not to be borne for an instant. Every 
one yielded at once to Pitt, who repelled the attack with charac- 
teristic intrepidity, " Sir, a charge is brought against gentlemen 
sitting in this house, of giving birth to sedition in America. 
The freedom with which they have spoken their sentiments 
against this unhappy act, is imputed to them as a crime ; but the 
imputation shall not discourage me. It is a liberty which I hope 
no gentleman will be afraid to exercise ; it is a liberty by which 
the gentleman who calumniates it, might have profited. He 
ought to have desisted from his project. We are told America is 
obstinate — America is almost in open rebellion. Sir, / rejoice 
America has resisted ; three millions of people so dead to all the 
feelings of liberty, as voluntarily to submit to be slaves, would 
have been fit instruments to make slaves of all the rest. I came 
not here armed at all points with law cases and acts of parlia- 
ment^ with the statute book doubled down in dog's ears, to de- 
fend the cause of liberty, 'but for the defence of liberty upon a 
general constitutional principle ; it is ground on which I dare 
meet any man. I will not debate points of law ; but what, after 
all, do the cases of Chester and Durham prove, but that under 
the most arbitrary reigns, parliament was ashamed of taxing a 
people without their consent, and allowed them representatives ? 
A higher and better example might have been taken from Wales ; 
that principality was never taxed by parliament till it was incor- 
porated with England." 

'' We are told of many classes of persons in this kingdom not 
represented in parliament ; but are they not all virtually repre- 
sented as Englishmen within the realm ? Have they not the 
option, many of them at least, of becoming themselves electors? 



38o HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Every inhabitant of this kingdom is necessarily included in the 
general system of representation. // is a misfortune that more 
are not actually represented. 

" The honorable gentleman boasts of his bounties to America. 
Are not these bounties intended finally for the benefit of this 
kingdom ? If they are not, he has misapplied the national treas- 
ures. I am no courtier of America. I maintain that parliament 
has a right to bind, to restrain America. Our legislative power 
over the colonies is sovereign and supreme. The honorable 
gentleman tells us he understands not the difference between in- 
ternal and external taxation ; but surely there is a plain distinc- 
tion between taxes levied for the purpose of raising a revenue, 
and duties imposed for the regulation of commerce. ' When,' 
said the honorable gentleman, 'were the colonies emancipated?' 
At what time, say I in answer, were they made slaves ? I speak 
from actual knowledge when I say that the profit to Great 
Britain from the trade of the colonies, throughout all its branches, 
is two millions per annum. This is the fund that carried you 
triumphantly through the war ; this is the price America pays 
you for her protection ; and shall a miserable financier come 
with a boast that he can fetch a peppercorn into the exchequer 
at the loss of millions to the nation ? I know the valor of your 
troops ; I know the skill of your ofiicers ; I know the force of 
this country, but in such a cause, your success would be hazard- 
ous. America, if she fell, would foil like a strong man ; she 
would embrace the pillars of the state, and pull down the consti- 
tution with her. Is this your boasted peace ? not to sheathe the 
sword in the scabbard, but to sheathe it in the bowels of your 
countrymen ? The Americans have been wronged, they have 
been driven to madness by injustice. Will you jjunish them for 
the madness you have occasioned ? No, let this country be the 
first to resume its prudence and temper ; I will pledge myself for 
the colonies, that on their part, animosity and resentment will 
cease. Upon the whole, I will beg leave to tell the house in a 
few words, what is really my opinion. It is that the stamp act 
be repealed absolutely, totally and immediately. At the same 
time, let the sovereign authority of this country over the colonies, 
be asserted in as strong terms as can be devised, and be made to 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 381 

extend to every point of legislation whatsoever ; that we may 
bind their trade, confine their manufactures, and exercise any 
power whatsoever, except that of taking their money out of their 
pockets without their consent." 

While the important debate was going on, early in the month 
of February, Benjamin Franklin was summoned to give his evi- 
dence before the house of commons. 

The fame of this great man brought together a large attend- 
ance in the galleries, and replies to the questions propounded, 
had a strong influence in settling the question in the minds of 
the members. 

He was asked, whether in his opinion, the people of America 
would submit to the stamp duty if it was moderated ; he 
answered emphatically — " No, never, unless compelled by force 
of arms." To the question — " What was the temper of Ameri- 
ca towards Great Britain before the year 1763?" he replied — 
** The best in the world. They submitted willingly to the 
government of the crown, and paid, in their courts, obedience 
to acts of parliament. Numerous as the people are in the several 
old provinces, they cost you nothing in forts, citadels, garrisons, 
or armies to keep them in subjection. They were governed by 
this country at the expense only of a little pen, ink and paper ; 
they were lead by a thread. They had not only a respect, but 
an affection for Great Britain — for its laws, its customs and man- 
ners — and even a fondness for its fashions, that greatly increased 
the commerce. Natives of Great Britain were always treated 
with particular regard ; to be an old E^igland man was, of itself, 
a character of some respect, and gave a kind of rank among us." 
"And what is their temper now?" it was asked. '' O, very 
much altered," he replied. " Did you ever hear the authority of 
parliament to make laws for America questioned till lately?" 
"The authority of parliament," said he, "was allowed to be 
valid in all laws, except such as should lay internal taxes. It 
was never disputed in laying duties to regulate commerce." To 
the question — " Can you name any act of assembly, or public 
act of your government, that made such distinctions ?" he re- 
plied — " I do not know that there was any ; I think there never 
was an occasion to make such an act, till now that you have 
attempted to tax us ; that has occasioned resolutions of assembly, 



382 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

declaring the distinction, in which I think every assembly on the 
continent, and every member in every assembly, have been 
unanimous."* 

The sentiments of Washington were in accordance with those 
expressed by Franklin. He spoke of the stamp act as "uncon- 
stitutional, and a direful attack on the liberties of the colonists." 
And not long after, when the. obnoxious act had been repealed, 
he thus wrote in a letter to a friend : " The repeal of the stamp 
act, to whatever cause owing, ought much to be rejoiced at ; for 
had the parliament of Great Britain resolved upon enforcing it, 
the consequences, I conceive, would have been more direful 
than is generally apprehended, both to the mother country and 
her colonies. All, therefore, who were instrumental in procur- 
ing the repeal, are entitled to the thanks of every British subject, 
and have mine cordially. "f 

On the 2 2d of February, General Conway, who had opposed 
from the first, the attempt to enforce the stamp act, now 
brought in a bill for its total repeal. The debate upon it was 
long and interesting ; but, as Burke said afterwards, " the house 
by an independent, noble spirited and unexpected majority, in 
the teeth of all the old mercenary Swiss of the state, in despite 
of all the speculators and augurs of political events, in defiance 
of the whole embattled legions of veteran pensioners and practised 
instruments of court, gave a total repeal to the stamp act, and if 
the scheme of taxing the colonies had been totally abandoned, 
there would have been a lasting peace to the whole empire." 

The repeal in the house of commons passed by a vote of 
two hundred and seventy-five against one hundred and sixty- 
seven, and in the house of lords, by a vote of one hundred and 
five against seventy-one. 

Upon the facts of its repeal being made known, the ships 
which lay in the Thames, displayed their colors in token of 
appreciation, and the houses were illuminated in all parts of the 
city of London ; salutes were heard, and bonfires kindled in all 
quarters, and all usual demonstrations on such occasions were 
manifested. 

* Franklin's works, vol. 4, p. I06. 

I Spark's '' Life of Washington," p. 107. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

1760— 1775. 

Disgust excited by the restrictions on trade — The colonies opposed 
the right of poj-liamcnt taxing them in any way — Petitions and 
remonstrances — The colonists refuse to purchase imported goods 

from England — Angiy discussion between the governor and as- 
se77ibly — Destrziction of tea — Battle of Lexington — Washington- 
appointed commander-in-chief—" Minute men " raised in New 

Jersey. 

ALTHOUGH the joy produced by the repeal of the stamp 
act, was common to all the colonies, the same tem^per did 
not prevail in all. In the commercial cities, the restrictions on 
trade, excited scarce less disgust than had been created by the 
stamp act itself; and in the north, political bodies had been 
formed, which betrayed excessive bitterness in opposition to each 
other. 

The first measures of Massachusetts and New York, demon- 
strated that the reconciliation with the colonies was not cordial. 

In New York, where general Gage was expected with a consid- 
erable body of troops, the governor required from the legislature, 
compliance with the act of parliament, called the " Military Act," 
which directed the colony, in which any of His Majesty's forces 
might be stationed, to provide barracks for them and certain 
necessaries in their quarters. The legislature reluctantly and 
partially complied with the requisition ; but at a subsequent ses- 
sion, when the matter was again brought before them, they 
determined that the act of parliament could only be construed 
to require necessaries for troops on a march, and not while per- 
manently stationed in the country ; on a contrary construction, 



384 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

they said the colony might be grievously burdened by marching 
into it, several regiments. They considered these requirements 
as a tax, and would not admit the power of parliament to levy 
money by its own authority, and compulsorily, through the 
colonial legislatures. In April, 1 768, Governor Franklin, of New 
Jersey, made a similar requisition on the legislature, which was 
fulfilled with alacrity. 

The repeal of the stamp act, however grateful to the friends o^ 
liberty, to the colonists and to the English merchants trading 
with them, was not popular with the nation at large. The su- 
premacy of the parliament was maintained by the mass of the 
peojple ; the hope of revenue from America was too fascinating 
to be surrendered without further exertion ; and the king beheld, 
with high indignation, the resistance to his authority, and the 
political principles which his American subjects had displayed. 
Moved by these considerations, Mr. Charles Townsend, chancel- 
lor of the exchequer, in an administration formed by Lord 
Chatham, a man of splendid and versatile talents, invited the at- 
tention of parliament, again to the subject of American taxation. 
He boasted, " that he knew how to draw a revenue from the 
colonies without giving them offence," and animated by the 
challenge of Mr. Grenville, to make his vaunting true, he pro- 
posed and carried almost unanimously, a bill imposing certain 
duties on tea, glass, paper, and painter's colors, imported 
into the colonies from Great Britain ; the proceeds of which 
were to be appropriated to the support of government in Amer- 
ica, so far as should be necessary, and the balance to be paid 
into the British treasury. 

This measure was founded on the erroneous belief, that the 
colonists objected rather to the mode than to the right of taxation. 
But though there had been some inaccuracies in expressing their 
views on the statute regulating trade, there should have been no 
misapprehension of their determination to resist every attempt to 
tax them without their consent. The bill of Mr. Townsend had 
the unequivocal character of a revenue law, and as such, was 
avowedly enacted ; nor were the provincialists slow to declare 
their sense of its true character. 

Petition and remonstrance were again resorted to by the colo- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 385 

nial legislatures. The tone, generally taken, was not so high as 
in the case of the stamp act, but the conviction that the one was 
as great a violation of public liberty as the other, soon became 
universal. 

On the nth of February, 1768, the colony of Massachusetts, 
in addition to her other measures, addressed a circular letter to 
the assemblies of the respective colonies, stating her own pro- 
ceedings to obtain redress. Courtland Skinner, Esq., speaker 
of the house, laid this before the house of representatives of New 
Jersey, on the i6th of April, whereupon the matter was referred 
to a committee, consisting of Messrs. Joseph Borden, of Burling- 
ton county, John Lawrence, of Monmouth, and Richard Law- 
rence, of Burlington city, with instructions to draft an answer to 
the same. The answer, signed by the speaker, says : " Sensible 
that the law you complain of is a subject in which every colony 
is interested, the house of representatives readily perceived the 
necessity of an immediate application to the king, and that it 
should correspond with those of the other colonies ; but as they 
have not had an opportunity of knowing the sentiments of any 
other colony, but that of the Massachusetts bay, they have en- 
deavored to conform themselves to the mode adopted by you. 

" They have therefore, given instruction to their agent, and 
enjoined his attention on the subject of the petition." And it 
concluded, " the house have directed me to assure you, that they 
are desirous to keep up a correspondence with you, and to unite 
with the colonies, if necessary, in further supplications, to His 
Majesty, to relieve his distressed American subjects." Pursuant 
to these sentiments, the house. May 7th, 1768, adopted a petition 
to His Majesty, in which, after recounting the perils and labors 
of the primitive settlers, they declared that " the subjects thus 
emigrating, brought with them, as inherent in their persons, all 
the rights and liberties of natural born subjects within the parent 
state. In consequence of these, a government was formed, under 
which they have been constantly exercised and enjoyed by the 
inhabitants, and repeatedly and solemnly recognized and con- 
firmed by your royal predecessors, and the legislature of Great 
Britain. 

"One of these rights and privileges vested in the people o^ 

2 B 



386 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

this colony, is the privilege of being exempt from any taxation 
but such as are imposed on them by themselves, or by their rep- 
resentatives ; and this they esteem so invaluable, that they are 
fully persuaded no other can exist without it. " 

In their controversy upon the stamp act, the colonists found 
their most efifectual weapon in their non-i mportation agreement. 
Recourse was again had to them. But as New Jersey had but 
little direct commerce of importation, she could not express her 
sense of injury adequately, by this mode ; but she was not pre- 
cluded from giving to her commercial neighbors, the stimulus of 
her approbation. 

Accordingly, at the October session of 1769, her legislature re- 
solved unanimously, "That the thanks of the house be given to 
the merchants and traders of this colony, and of the colonies of 
New York and Pennsylvania for their disinterested and public 
spirited conduct in withholding their importations of British mer- 
chandise, until certain acts of parliament, laying restrictions on 
American commerce, for the express purpose of raising a revenue 
in America, be repealed." 

Efforts having been made in Rhode Island to break through 
the non-importation agreement, the freeholders, merchants and 
traders of the county of Essex, convened at Elizabethtown on 
the 5th of June, 1770. and resolved, that such agreement was a 
legal and constitutional method of discovering their sense of the 
acts of parliament for raising a revenue in the colonies ; and 
therefore, should be firmly adhered to until such acts were re- 
pealed. That they would not themselves, or by others, receive, 
purchase, sell or otherwise use any of the manufactures or mer- 
chandise imported from Great Britain, contrary to the agree- 
ment ; and that they would not trade, nor have any commercial 
intercourse with such persons who should import goods or cause 
them to be imported, or with any person who shall purchase 
goods so imported ; but would use every lawful means to hinder 
the sale of such goods in any way whatever. That they highly 
approved the spirited behaviour of their Boston, New York and 
Philadelphia brethren, in renouncing all commerce and inter- 
course with the traders and inhabitants of Newport, in Rhode 
Island, who had perfidiously deserted them in this struggle ; and 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 387 

that they would observe the same rules of conduct they had so 
properly adopted, with respect to the traders and inhabitants of 
Newport. And at a meeting held at the same place, on the i6th 
of July, when having learned that "the merchants and traders 
of the city of New York, had lately thought proper, contrary to 
their own agreement and in violation of their public faith, to 
break through the only measure that could have obtained redress, 
they declared that the signers to the late non-importation agree- 
ment at New York, had perfidiously betrayed the common cause, 
deserted their countrymen in their united struggles for the re- 
moval of ministerial oppression ; and that every person who, 
contrary to the non-importation agreement, shall import, ought, 
by the friends of their country, to be treated, not only in like 
manner as they themselves set the example in the late case of the 
merchants and traders of Newport, but be held in the utmost 
contempt by all the friends of liberty, and treated as enemies to 
their country. And they would strictly adhere to their resolu- 
tions adopted at a former meeting. The conduct of the New 
York importers was condemned by the inhabitants of Wood- 
bridge and New Brunswick and other places, in terms still more 
energetic. Some of these importers, venturing soon after, to 
New Brunswick and Woodbridge with their goods, were severely 
handled by the populace. 

The assembly of Virginia passed resolutions unanimously as- 
serting the exclusive right of that assembly to impose taxes on 
their constituents. They also resolved, that all persons charged 
with the commission of any offence, within that colony, were 
entitled to a trial before the tribunals of the country, according 
to the known course of proceedings therein ; and that to seize 
such persons and transport them beyond the seas for trial, dero- 
gated in a high degree, from the rights of British subjects ; as 
thereby, the inestimable privilege of being tried by a jury from 
the vicinage, as well as the liberty of summoning and producing 
witnesses in such trial, would be taken from the party accused. 

On the 6th of December, 1769, this last resolution was adopted 
in terms, by the assembly of New Jersey. 

The remonstrances of the colonies was so great that Great 



388 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Britain was compelled to modify their import act by reducing it 
one-half. 

The period of four years succeeding the modification of the 
revenue act, contains few incidents of historical interest. The 
late war, by the great expenditure of money and consumption of 
agricultural products, had caused an extraordinary appearance of 
prosperity in New Jersey, as in other colonies. A ready market 
and advanced price for grain increased the value of lands, and 
seduced the enterprising into improvident purchases. The causes 
of this excited state ceasing with the peace, great depression of 
prices, and contraction of business ensued. Debtors were unable 
to pay ; bankruptcies and suits at law were numerous, and the 
prosecuting creditor and his attorney became odious to the debtor 
and his sympathizing friends. 

In January, 1770, many citizens of Monmouth county assem- 
bled at Freehold, on the stated day for holding the county court, 
and violently deterred the judges from executing their office ; 
compelling them to return to their respective homes ; and a 
similar riot in Essex was suppressed, only by the spirited con- 
duct of the sheriffs, magistrates, and the better disposed citizens. 

The cause alleged for the unwarrantable proceedings, was 
oppression by the lawyers, in their exorbitant charges for costs. 
The governor, by the advice of his council, issued a special 
commission for the trial of the defendents, adding to the justices 
of the supreme court, some gentlemen of distinguished character. 
In Essex, the rioters were immediately tried, convicted and 
punished; but, in Monmouth, they were screened from chastise- 
ment by the sympathy of their fellow-citizens. 

In suppressing these seditions, Mr. Richard Stockton was 
highly instrumental, supporting with dignity the authority of the 
government, mildly assuaging the temper of the people. 

In the intercourse between Governor Franklin and the assembly, 
considerable harmony prevailed. But, occasionally, differences 
of opinion led to intemperate altercation. Thus, a war of words 
grew out of the application of the King's troops, for supplies and 
accommodations greater than the house was disposed to grant. 

The statesmen of New Jersey did not take the high ground of 
Massachusetts ; upon this subject they were reluctant to expend 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 389 

any thing more than the strictest construction the act of 
parliament required. A lengthened discussion was finally termi- 
nated by mutual concession. But, another dispute soon after 
arose, on the application of the assembly, for the removal of the 
treasurer of the eastern division of the province. With singular 
policy a treasurer was retained and located in each of the ancient 
divisions of the colony. 

Mr. Stephen Skinner was treasurer of East Jersey, and resided 

' at Perth Amboy. On the night of the 21st of July, 1768, his 

house was broken open, and the iron chest in which he kept the 

provincial funds, was robbed of sixty -six hundred pounds, chiefly 

in bills of credit. 

This robbery was supposed by some to have been caused by 
carelessness on the part of the treasurer, and the assembly called 
on the governor to remove him, which he refused to do, alleging 
a royal instruction, forbidding him to displace any officer or 
minister in the province, without sufficient cause, to be signified 
to the King ; an instruction, he said, wisely calculated to guard 
against that arbitrary, despotic temper, which sometimes actuated 
governors, as well as that levelling, democratic disposition, which 
too often prevails in popular assemblies. 

The subject caused an angry discussion between the governor 
and assembly, for nearly two years longer ; in which the former 
was encouraged, by the discovery of a gang of counterfeiters and 
forgers, one of whom it was probable, from the evidence of his 
accomplices, had perpetrated the robbery of the treasury. 

Governor Franklin seems to have been truly solicitous to pro- 
mote the welfare of the colony, by increasing the agricultural 
and commercial products. At his instance, which in the present 
season of political quiet, he earnestly renewed, the assembly 
established bounties for the growth of hemp, flax and silk. Con- 
siderable efforts were made to diffuse the culture of the mulberry 
tree, and had not this simple branch of industry been prostrated 
by the war, silk would soon have become a staple commodity of 
the country. At the suggestion of the governor, also, means 
were taken by the assembly, to obtain a full census, and statisti- 
cal account of the province ; but these were rendered ineffective 
by the scenes of political disquiet which soon after arose. 



390 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Previous to the year 1772, the house of representatives con- 
sisted of twenty members. The cities of Perth Amboy and 
BurHngton, and the counties of Middlesex, Essex, Somerset, 
Bergen, Gloucester and Cape May, each sent two representatives, 
while Salem and Cumberland jointly, sent only two, and Hunter- 
don, Morris and Sussex, jointly, sent the same number. But in 
that year, an act of assembly, for increasing the number of 
representatives, had been approved by the King, and seems to 
have been a cause of congratulation between the governor and 
assembly. By this act, each county was entitled to two 
representatives, and the whole number was increased to thirty. 
This representation appears to have been based upon territorial 
divisions merely, without regard to the essential principle of 
population, and was continued, upon an erroneous basis, which 
was not fully corrected, until the adoption of the present con- 
stitution in 1844, which specifies, that the senate shall be com- 
posed of one member from each county, and the general assembly 
shall be apportioned among the different counties, as nearly as 
may be according to the number of their inhabitants, to be 
regulated according to the United States census every ten years, 
but that each county shall always be entitled to one inember, and 
the whole number in the house shall never exceed sixty. 

Governor Franklin on the part of the province, contrary to 
the policy which it had hitherto pursued, attended two con- 
ferences with the northern Indians. 

The first was in 1769, at Fort Stanwix, at which he was 
accompanied by the chief justice ; * and where the Six Nations 
having agreed upon a general boundary line between them and 
the northern colonies, (the object of the meeting) publicly 
acknowledged the repeated instances of the justice of the 
province, in bringing murderers to condign punishment ; and de- 
clared that they had no claim, whatever, upon the province, and 
in the most solemn manner conferred upon the government of 
New Jersey, the distinguishing name oi Sagorighwiyogstha, or the 
great arbiter, or doer of justice. 

It is not our purpose to detail all the remote causes and 

* Frederick Smyth. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 391 

immediate motives that led to the revolution, which culminated 
in the dissolution of the connection between Great Britain and 
her North American colonies ; but to keep up such a connected 
narrative of circumstances pertaining to that great event, as will 
enable us to exhibit the part New Jersey bore in the contest. 

The honor of originating the legislative committees of corres- 
pondence in the several colonies, which afterwards became so 
essentially useful, is claimed, by Mr. Jefferson, for Virginia. 

The general state of quiet which had been induced by the pru- 
dence of the European and American parties, the one forbearing 
to ship, and the other to purchase teas, was, after three years' 
continuance, terminated by the unpolitic avarice of the British 
ministry. The East India Company became pecuniarily em- 
barrassed in consequence of the American quarrel. They pro- 
posed to the government the abolishment of the duty on teas 
imported into the colonies, which was rejected by the adminis- 
tration. 

The export of tea to America, under these circumstances, was, 
in itself, sufficient to arouse opposition. 

But the occasion was eagerly seized by those whose interests 
would be promoted by popular resistance. 

The cry of endangered liberty was again heard from New 
Hampshire to Georgia. Town meetings were held in the capi- 
tols of the different provinces, and combinations formed to 
obstruct the sale of the fatal weed. 

The most determined spirit of resistance displayed itself in 
New Jersey, upon the first favorable opportunity. On the 8th 
of February, 1774, the assembly on the proposition of Virginia, 
appointed from its members, a standing committee of correspon- 
dence, consisting of James Kinsey, Stephen Crane, Hendrick 
Fisher, Samuel Tucker, John Wetherill, Robert Friend Price, John 
Hinchman, John Mehelm and Edward Taylor, whom they in- 
structed to obtain the most early and authentic intelligence of all 
the acts and resolutions ofthe parliament of Great Britain, or to the 
proceedings ofthe administration, which might effect the liberties 
and privileges of His Majesty's subjects, in the British colonies 
of America; to maintain a correspondence with the sister colo- 
nies, respecting these important considerations, and to inform 



392 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the speakers of the several continental assemblies of this reso- 
lution, that they would submit them to their several houses. 
They returned thanks, also, to the Burgesses of Virginia, for 
their early attention to the liberties of America. Thus, while 
Virginia was the first to move in a determined manner against 
the unjust acts of the mother country, towards her children on 
this continent. New Jersey was the first to second their action. 

These two colonies were the first that struck for liberty. 

Upon the approach of ships loaded with tea, and destined for 
Philadelphia, the Delaware pilots were warned not to conduct 
them into harbor ; and their captains apprized of the temper of 
the people, deeming it unsafe to land their cargoes, consented to 
return without making an entry at the custom house ; the owners 
of goods on board, cheerfully submitting to the inconvenience of 
having their merchandize sent back to Great Britain. The cap- 
tains of vessels destined to New York, wisely adopted the same 
resolution. The tea sent to Charleston, was loaded and stored, 
but was not offered for sale ; and being placed in damp cellers, 
became rotten, and was entirely lost. The ships for Boston en- 
tered that port, but before the tea could be landed, a number 
of colonists, amounting to about fifty, disguised as Mohawk 
Indians, boarded the vessels, and while the dense crowd silently 
watched the proceedings, they drew up from the holds of the 
vessels three hundred and forty-two chests of tea, deliberately 
broke them open, and emptied their contents into the water. 
This occupied between three and four hours. No damage was 
done to anything else, and when the tea had been destroyed, the 
crowd dispersed, without further noise or trouble, to their 
homes.* 

All this occurred on the night of the i6th of December. Pre- 
vious to the destruction of the tea, a meeting had been held ia 
the old South Meeting house. The owner of the ships was sent 
for, and requested to obtain from the collector of the port, the 
necessary clearance for their departure, but he refused to com- 
ply. These three ships were moored near each other at Griffin's 
wharf. 

* See Bancroft, Vol. VI. pp 465-489. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 393 

Josiah Quincy harangued the crowded and excited assembly, 
with great solemnity of manner, and in his peculiar fervid style 
of eloquence said : " It is not the spirit that vapors within these 
walls that must stand us instead. The exertions of this day will 
call forth events which will make a very different spirit necessary 
for our salvation. Look to the end. Whoever supposes that 
shouts and hosannas will terminate the trials of this day, enter- 
tains a childish fancy." 

" We must be grossly ignorant of the importance and value of 
the prize for which we contend ; we must be equally ignorant of 
the power of those who have combined against us ; we must be 
blind to that malice, inveteracy and insatiable revenge which 
actuates our enemies, public and private, abroad and ["in our 
bosoms, to hope that we shall end this controversy without the 
sharpest — the sharpest conflicts; to flatter ourselves, that popular 
resolves, popular harangues, popular acclamations and popular 
vapor will vanquish our foes. Let us consider the issue. Let us 
look to the end. Let us weigh and consider before we advance 
to those measures which must bring on the most trying and terri- 
ble struggle this country ever saw."* 

This appeal at once aroused the assembled multitude, and the 
question was put, " Will you abide by the former resolutions with 
respect to not suffering the tea to be landed ?" The reply was a 
unanimous shout, and the excitement was terrible. It was now 
growing dark, but still the multitude refused to disperse but called 
for candles. At this stage of the proceedings, a man disguised 
as a Mohawk Indian, seated in the gallery, raised the war-whoop, 
which was instanly responded to in the street. The sound was 
at once taken up, and another voice suddenly shouted, " Boston 
harbor, a tea-pot to night! Hurrah for Griffin's wharf!" At 
which the meeting adjourned at once, and the people hurried 
down to the harbor, to witness the result. 

It was a fine still evening, and about six o'clock. It was then 
that the boarding the vessels above described, commenced. 

The military and naval force offered no resistance. Admiral 
Montague, was at this time, at the house of a friend, and as the 

*" Memoir of the life of Josiah Quincy, Jr.," pp 266 — 267. 



394 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

party marched from the wharf, he raised the window and said 
* Well boys, you've had a fine night for your Indian caper, 
haven't you? But mind, you've got to pay the tiddler yet." 
Pitt, one of the leaders, shouted, " O, never mind, squire, just 
come out here, if you please, and we'll settle the bill in two 
minutes !" The admiral wisely shut down the window, and the 
crowd went on its way, without further demonstration of popular 
feeling. 

In April of the next year, a vessel having on board eighteen 
chests of tea, arrived at Sandy Hook. The pilots, under instruc- 
tions from a "Vigilance Committee," refused to bring the ship 
up to New York until they were assured there was no tea on 
board, and when it was discovered there was tea on the ship, they 
were thrown into the river ; the captain was cooly put on board 
of his ship, the anchors were weighed, and he was sent to find 
his way back to England. 

Such was the unanimity of sentiment among the people of the 
colonies, and so systematic their opposition, that not a single 
chest of the cargoes, sent out by the East India company, was 
sold for their benefit. 

By one act of parliament, the port of Boston was closed, and 
the custom house transferred to Salem, until compensation should 
be made to the East India Company, and the king satisfied of 
the restoration of peace and good order in Boston. By another 
act, the charter of Massachusetts was subverted, the nomination 
of counsellors, magistrates and other officers, being vested in the 
crown, during the royal pleasure. By a third, persons indicted 
in that province, for any capital offence, if an allegation was 
made on oath to the governor, that such offence had been com- 
mitted, in aid of the magistracy in the suppression of riots, and 
that a fair trial could not be had in the province, might be sent 
to any other colony or to Great Britain, for trial. A bill was 
also passed for quartering soldiers upon the inhabitants. But 
these penal bills were not wholly unopposed in either house of 
parliament ; in the house of lords, the minority entered their 
protest against each. 

By a resolution of the assembly of Virginia, the first of June, 
the day the Boston port bill was to take effect, was adopted as a 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 395 

day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, throughout the continent, 
to implore the divine interposition of providence to avert the 
heavy calamity which threatened destruction to their civil rights, 
and the evils of civil war, and to give one heart and one mind to 
the people, firmly to oppose every invasion of their liberties. 

Early in the month of July, the inhabitants of the several coun- 
ties of New Jersey, assembled at their respective county towns, 
and adopted resolutions strongly disapproving the course of 
the ministry, and of the late acts of parliament, in closing the 
port of Boston, invading the charter rights of the province of 
Massachusetts, subjecting supposed offenders to trial in other 
colonies and in Great Britain, and sending an armed force to 
carry these injurious measures into effect. They nominated dep- 
uties to meet in convention, for the purpose of electing delegates 
to the general congress, about to convene at Philadelphia. The 
convention, consisting of seventy-two members, selected from 
the most intelligent and respectable citizens of the colony, among 
whom were many members of the assembly, met at New Bruns- 
wick on the 2ist of July, 1774. Stephen Crane was chosen chair- 
man and Jonathan D. Sergeant, clerk: James Kinsey, William 
Livingston, John DeHart, Stephen Crane, and Richard Smith 
were chosen to represent them in the congress ; and William 
Peartree Smith, John Chetwood, Isaac Ogden, Joseph Borden, 
Robert Field, Isaac Pearson, Isaac Smith, Samuel Tucker, Abra- 
ham Hunt and Hendrick Fisher were appointed as a standing 
committee of correspondence.* 

The delegates from eleven provinces assembled in Carpenter's 
Hall, Philadelphia, on the 4th of September ; those from North 
Carolina did not arrive until the fourteenth. 

Congress approved and endorsed everything that had been 
done by the colonies, and adopted resolutions prohibiting the 
importation, purchase, or use of goods from Great Britain or 
Ireland, or their dependencies, after the first day of the succeed- 

*Kinsey left congress in 1775, refusing to take the republican oath of allegi- 
ence, and on the 22d day of November, his resignation, as well as that of Mr. 
DeHart, was accepted by the assembly ; the three remaining ones continued 
to act and to represent the colony in congress, 



396 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

December; and directed that all exports to Great Britain and 
the West Indies, should cease on the loth of September, 1775, 
unless American grievances should be sooner redressed. An 
association, embodying these resolutions was then formed, and 
they were signed by every member present, and as Mr. Marshall 
says : '* Never were laws more faithfully observed, than were 
the resolves of Congress, at this period, and their association 
was, of consequence, universally adopted." 

To enforce these resolutions. Congress recommended the 
appointment of committees in the several counties and towns, 
which was accordingly done, and they became efficient instru- 
ments in aiding the progress of the revolution. 

On the nth of January. 1775, the New Jersey delegates re- 
ported the proceedings of Congress to the assembly of the colony, 
who unanimously approved of the same. 

They also resolved, that the same gentlemen should represent 
the colony in the future Congress, and report their proceedings 
to the assembly at the next session. That they should propose 
and agree to every reasonable and constitutional measure, for 
the accommodation of the unhappy differences subsisting between 
the mother and her colonies. 

The joint action of the colonies was especially obnoxious to 
the royal government; and the governors of the respective 
colonies threw every obstacle in their power in the way of its 
accomplishment. To this end. Governor Franklin refused to 
summon the assembly of New Jersey, notwithstanding the 
petitions of the people ; and the first delegates to Congress in- 
stead of being appointed by the house, were elected by the people 
in convention. Although not legally elected they nevertheless 
acted, and had a powerful influence in the legislation of the 
state. 

On opening the assembly in January, 1775, Governor Frank- 
lin observed. " It would argue not only a great want of duty to 
His Majesty, but of regard to the good people of this province, 
were I, on this occasion, to pass over in silence, the late alarm- 
ing transactions in this and the neighboring colonies, or not en- 
deavor to prevail on you to exert yourself in preventing those 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 397 

mischiefs to this country, which, without your timely interposi- 
tion, will, in all probability, be the consequence." 

He further set forth that it was not for him to decide on the 
particular merits of the dispute between Great Britain and her 
colonies, and that he did not intend to censure those who, con- 
ceiving themselves aggrieved, had aimed to redress those grievan- 
ces. He adverted in severe terms against the convention of the 
people, who had appointed the delegates to the Congress, that 
they had usurped the powers which alone belonged to the assem- 
bly, and that it was the duty of that body not to allow such things 
to go unrebuked. 

That any grievances they might feel disposed to set before the 
King would be properly attended to, and have greater weight 
coming from each colony in its separate capacity, than in a 
channel, the propriety and legality of which there might be 
much doubt. 

He goes on further to say: "You have now pointed out to 
you, gentlemen, two roads — one evidently leading to peace, 
happiness, and restoration of the public tranquillity — the other 
inevitably conducting you to anarchy and misery, and all the 
horrors of a civil war. Your wisdom, your prudence, your re- 
gard for the interests of the people, will be best known, when 
you have shown to which road you give the preference. If to 
the former, you will probably afford satisfaction to the moderate, 
the sober and discreet part of your constituents. If to the latter, 
you will perhaps give pleasure to the warm, the rash and incon- 
siderate among them, who, I would willingly hope, violent as is 
the temper of the present times, are not even now the majority. 
But, it may be well for you to remember, should any calamity 
hereafter befall them from your compliance with their inclina- 
tions, instead of pursuing, as you ought, the dictates of your own 
judgment, that the consequences of their returning to a proper 
sense of their conduct, may prove deservedly fatal to your- 
selves." 

These persuasions were powerless with the assembly, who 
unanimously approved and adopted the very measures condemned 
by the governor, and in their address to him they were un- 
equivocally set forth. 



398 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The language of the council, however, was in a different tone, 
and as loyal as the governor himself could desire. 

When the proceedings of the congress was received in Lord 
don, it appeared to have a momentary beneficial effect upon their 
cause. 

The administration was staggered, and the opposition triumphed 
in the truth of their predictions, that the measures pursued by the 
ministry would unite all the colonies in resistance. The petition 
of congress to the King, was declared by the secretary of state, 
after a day's perusal, to b:; decent and proper, and was received 
graciously by His Majesty, who promised to lay it before his 
two houses of parliament. But the minictry had resolved to 
compel the obedience of the provinces. 

In vain did the merchants of London, Bristol, Glasgow, Nor- 
wich, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and other places, by 
petition, pourtray the evils which must result from such determi- 
nation, and predict the dangers of the commercial interests of the 
kingdom. In vain did the planters of the sugar colonies, resi- 
dent in Great Britain, represent, that the profits on British 
property in the West India Islands, amounting to many millions, 
which ultimately centered in Great Britain, would be deranged 
and endangered by the continuance of the American troubles. 
In vain did the venerable Earl of Chatham,* raised from a long 
retirement, by the danger of losing these colonies, which his own 
measures had protected, and, seemingly, assured by the parent 
state, apply, his comprehensive mind, and matchless eloquence, 
to arrest the fatal course of the administration. In vain, from a 
prophetic view of events, did he demonstrate the impossibility of 
subjugating the colonies ; and urge the immediate removal of the 
troops collected by General Gage, at Boston, as a measure indis- 
pensably necessary to open the way for an adjustment of the 
differences with the provinces. In vain, when undiscouraged by 
the rejection of the motion, did he propose a bill for settling the 
troubles in America. 

The period of American emancipation had approached, and the 
power which might have delayed it, was providentially stultified. 

* William Pitt. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 399 

The King in his opening speech to the newly elected parlia- 
ment, declared " that a most daring spirit of resistance and dis- 
obedience to the laws, unhappily prevailed in the province 
of Massachusetts, and had broken forth in fresh violences of a 
very criminal nature; and that these proceedings had been 
countenanced and encouraged in his other colonies. Parliament 
put forth an address, echoing the royal speech, which was 
carried by large majorities in both houses, against which lords 
Richmond, Portland, Rockingham, Stamford, Stanhope, Torring- 
ton, Ponsonby, Wycombe, and Camden, from the minority, 
issued a spirited protest. 

But both houses joined in an address to the King, declaring, 
*' that they find a rebellion actually exists in the province of 
Massachusetts." This was followed by an act for restraining the 
trade and commerce of the New England provinces, and pro- 
hibiting them from carrying on the fisheries on the banks of 
Newfoundland, which was subsequently extended to New Jersey, 
Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, and the 
counties of Delaware. 

Before the continental congress again met on the loth of May, 
1775, hostilities between the colonists and the British troops in 
America, had commenced. The battle of Lexington was fought 
April 19th, and Ticonderoga captured May 8th, and soon after, 
June 17th, the ever memorable battle of Breed's Hill, gave con- 
fidence to the colonists ; and the British army, under General 
Gage, was beseiged in Boston. 

Peyton Randolph was chosen president of congress, but being 
speaker of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, John Hancock, of 
Boston, was unanimously elected his successor. 

• Congress promptly proceeded to further measures of offence 
and defence. They prohibited exports to such parts of British 
America, as had not joined the confederacy ; forbade the supply 
of provisions or other necessaries, to the English fisheries on the 
coast ; to the army and navy in Massachusetts, and to vessels 
employed in transporting British troops and munitions of war ; 
and interdicted the negotiation of bills of exchange, drawn by 
British officers, agents or contractors, and the advance of money 
to them, on any terms whatever. 



400 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

To secure the colonies against the forcible execution of the 
late obnoxious acts of parliament, they resolved to put them im- 
mediately in a state of defence, reccommending to them, 
severally, to provide the munitions of war ; to prepare the militia, 
so classing them, that a fourth of their number might be drawn 
into action, at a minute's warning; and to form a corps for con- 
tinual service ; authorizing each colony, apprehensive of attack, 
to levy one thousand regulars at the expense of the confederacy. 
They organized the higher departments of the army, framed reg- 
ulations for its government, and issued three millions of dollars, 
in bills of credit, for its maintainence. In an address to the 
army and the people, they reviewed the conduct of Great Britain, 
exposed the enormity of her pretensions and the dreadful alter- 
native she had created, of unconditional submission or resistance 
by arms, in which they asserted the justice of their cause, and 
the competency of their means to maintain it, with their free de- 
termination to employ, at every hazard, the utmost energy of the 
powers granted them by their Creator, in order to preserve their 
liberties. 

They concluded this stirring appeal in the following language : 
** In our native land, in defence of the freedom which is our 
birthright, and which we always enjoyed until the late violation 
of it, for the protection of our property, acquired solely by the 
honest industry of our forefathers and ourselves, against violence 
offered, we have taken up arms ; we shall lay them down when 
hostilities shall cease on the part of the aggressors, and all dan- 
ger of their being removed, and not before." 

In the congress, Colonel George Washington, of Virginia, 
was nominated by the delegates of Massachusetts, as the most 
proper person for commander-in-chief, and was unanimously 
elected to that important position. He was at that time, a dele- 
gate in the congress, a man of high character, and splendid for- 
tune, who had pledged his life in the contest. 

He was at that time, of mature age, and well known for his 
military talents, his sound judgment, firm temper, spotless integ- 
rity, and dignified person and demeanor. The southern and 
middle districts possessed no man having superior claims to pub- 
lic confidence. His commission, dated June 15th, 1775, gave 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 401 

him full power and authority to act as he should think best for 
the country and welfare of the service, subject to the rules of 
war and the orders of congress. They also passed a resolution 
declaring, ''that for the maintenance and preservation of Amer- 
ican liberty, they would adhere to him with their lives and 
fortunes. ' ' 

The reply of Washington, when apprised of his appointment 
by the president of congress, showed in a high degree, his modesty, 
devotion to the cause of the country, and that disinterestedness 
for which he was in the most eminent degree distinguished. 
And to show that it was not out of any pecuniary motive that he 
assumed the dangerous honor, he declined all compensation for 
services, and declared that he would accept only the reimburse- 
ment of his actual expenses. 

Congress, soon after the nomination and appointment of the 
commander-in-chief, created and filled the offices of subordinate 
generals. Artemus Ward, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler and 
Israel Putnam, were appointed major generals ; Horatio Gates, 
adjutant general, and Seth Pomeroy, Richard Montgomery, 
Daniel Wooster, William Heath, Joseph Spencer, John Thomas, 
John Sullivan and Nathaniel Green, brigadier generals. 

Although determined upon resistance to the uttermost, against 
the tyranny of the parent state, the colonies had given no public 
indication of their desire to become independent of her govern- 
ment, though among many, it was thought the result of the con- 
test would be independence ; while perhaps, some wished it and 
sought for it, none publicly avowed it The American people 
were proud of their descent from Great Britain, and exulted in 
being connected with a country so great. And even while they 
were making warlike preparations, they determined to put forth 
renewed efforts to propitiate the British government and people, 
and it was determined to send another petition to the king, 
which met with some opposition by several members of congress, 
under the supposition that it would be of no avail. But, through 
the influence of Mr. Jonathan Dickinson, who proposed and 
wrote the petition, it was adopted. 

This address was filled with professions of duty and their at- 
tachment to the mother country and His Majesty, and stated, 

2C 



402 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

•* that they not only most fervently desired the former harmony 
between Great Britain and the colonies, to be restored, but that 
a concord might be established between them upon so firm a basis, 
as to perpetuate its blessings uninterrupted by any future dissen- 
tions, to succeeding generations in both countries. They there- 
fore, besought His Majesty to direct some mode by which the 
united applications of his faithful colonists to the throne, in pur- 
suance of their common counsels, might be improved to a happy 
and permanent reconciliation. ' ' These professions of three millions 
of his subjects, were treated with contempt by the king. The 
petition was presented through the secretary for American affairs, 
on the ist of September, by Messrs. Richard Penn and Henry 
Lee, and on the 4th, Lord Dartmouth informed them, that " to 
it, no answer would be given." 

Finding they could get no redress from the king, and while 
preparing for the contest, from respect to their fellow subjects, 
congress deemed it proper to put forth their motives in addresses 
to the people of Great Britain and to those of Ireland, as well as 
to the assembly of Jamaica. They also published a declaration 
to the world, setting forth the necessity of assuming arms and re- 
iterating the injuries they had sustained. They said : " We are 
reduced to the alternative of choosing an unconditional submis- 
sion to the tyranny of irritated ministers, or resistance by force. 
The latter is our choice. We have counted the cost of this con- 
test, and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery." 

General Washington, immediately after his appointment to 
the chief command, repaired to the army before Boston. With 
his small army he found it difficult to maintain a show of force 
to confine the British troops to that town from the month of June 
until the following March, when the Americans, having seized 
and fortified Dorchester Heights, which overlooked and com- 
manded the place, General Howe, who had succeeded General 
Gage, on the loth of October, abandoned it and sailed with his 
command for Halifax. 

The provincial congress of New Jersey re-assembled on the 
5th of August, 1775, and engaged in devising further means for 
the collection of the tax they had imposed and for the organiza- 
tion of the militia. They directed fifty-four companies, each of 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 403 

sixty-four minute-men, making in all three thousand four hun- 
dred and fifty-six effective men, to be organized ; and to each 
they allotted a specific number, and to the respective county com- 
mittees, the duties were allotted of appointing their officers. 
The following engagement was entered into by them : 
" We, the subscribers, do voluntarily enlist ourselves as min- 
ute-men in the company of , in the county of ; 

and do promise to hold ourselves in constant readiness, on the 
shortest notice, to march to any place where our assistance may 
be required, for the defence of this and any neighboring colony ; 
as also, to pay due obedience to the commands of our officers 
agreeable to the rules and orders of the continental congress, or 
the provincial congress of New Jersey, or during its recess, of the 
committee of safety." 

These troops were formed into ten battalions; in Bergen, 
Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset, Morris, Sussex, Hunter- 
don and Burlington, one each ; in Gloucester and Salem, one, 
while in the counties of Cumberland and Cape May, were inde- 
pendent light infantry and rangers. They took precedence of 
the other militia, and were entitled to be relieved at the end of 
four months, unless in actual service. Congress also, resolved, 
that two brigadier generals should be appointed, but named at 
the time, only Mr. Philemon Dickinson to that command ; Mr. 
William Livingston, soon after received the other command. 

In regard to the Quakers, a number of whom resided in the 
province, who were opposed to bearing arms, they declared that 
they intended no violence to their religious scruples, but earn- 
estly recommended them to contribute the more liberally to the 
relief of their distressed brethren, and to do all other services to 
their oppressed country, consistent with their religious profes- 
sion. 

They ordered that the inhabitants in each county, qualified to 
vote for representatives in the general assembly, should meet to- 
gether, (at places designated,) on the 21st day of the following 
September, and elect, not exceeding five substantial freeholders, 
as deputies, with full power to represent such county in provin- 
cial congress, to be held at Trenton, on the 3d day of the fol- 
lowing October. That during the continuance of the present 



404 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

unhappy disputes between Great Britain and America, there be 
a new choice of deputies in every county, yearly, on the third 
Thursday of September ; that on the said Thursday in every year, 
such inhabitants shall choose a sufficient number of freeholders, to 
constitute a county committee of observation and correspondence, 
with full power as well, to superintend and direct the necessary 
business of the county, as to carry into execution the resolutions 
and orders of the continental and provincial congresses ; that the 
inhabitants of each township so qualified, do immediately choose 
a sufficient number of freeholders, to constitute a township com- 
mittee, and that on the second Tuesday of March, thereafter, 
they make a like choice, to act as a committee of observation and 
correspondence, in the townships respectively, with power within 
their precincts, similar to that conferred upon the county com- 
mittees. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

1775— 1776. 

Appointment of provincial treasurer — Committee of safety — Acts 
passed preparing for war — Delegates to continental congress — 
Provincial congress of New Jersey — Governor Franklin's proc- 
la)?iation — Governor Livingston' s prediction — Virtual declara- 
tion of independence — Governor Franklin' s arrest — Opposition 
to the measures of congress. 

THE provincial congress appointed Jonathan D. Sergeant, 
the treasurer, and a committee of safety, to act during the 
recess, after which they adjourned to the 20th of September. 

The committee of safety were Hendrick Fisher, Samuel Tucker, 
Isaac Pearson, John Hart, Jonathan D. Sergeant, their treasurer, 
Azariah Dunham, Peter Schenk, Enos Kelsey, Joseph Borden, 
Frederick Freelinghausen and John Schureman. The council 
of safety of 1777, was composed of a number of gentlemen 
selected from different parts of the state, to advise with the gov- 
ernor, in order that the state might the better be enabled to 
meet the exigencies of war, the calling together of the assem- 
bly being too tedious and difficult And from this council of 
safety, came the council of the state, afterwards the state council. 
It first met at Haddonfield, March i8th, 1777, and consisted of 
twelve persons and the governor. The first selected were judge 
John Cleves Symes, William Patterson, (afterwards governor,) 
Theophilus Elmer, Silas Condict, John Hart, John Mehelm 
Samuel Dick, John Combs, Caleb Camp, Edward Weatherby 
and Benjamin Manning, all of whom afterwards held prominent 
positions in the state. 

A number of prisoners taken to Salem were ordered transferred 



4o6 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

to Bordentown, and hundreds of suspected persons were exam- 
ined, but most of them took the oath of abjuration and allegiance, 
while a few were sent to different prisons, for treason against the 
state. 

The council finally found it necessary to summon the members 
of the general assembly on the 7th of May, in order to address 
them upon the importance of filling the prescribed quota of men. 
This was their first meeting with the general assembly and the 
original joint meeting of the New Jersey legislature. 

During the year 1777, flags of truce were respected, and par- 
ties in this state were permitted in certain cases, to visit their 
sick relatives within the British lines. 

The council was possessed of full powers to send guilty per- 
sons to jail, and ordered respectable persons to keep within one 
hundred yards of their respective houses. 

The order to send dangerous persons into the enemy's lines, 
was issued July, nth, 1777. By this order nearly fifty families 
were transported as disaffected, the wives and children of most 
of them following by a similar order. The disaffected district 
was about Hackensack, South River and Tappan neighborhood. 
We forbear to mention their names, as their descendants now 
comprise some of the most respectable people of the vicinity, 
they having returned (most of them) after the close of the war. 
At a subsequent meeting of the council, citations were issued to 
about one hundred persons, who were summoned to appear to 
take the oath of abjuration. 

At the session held in September, no business of importance 
was transacted. The council met again in October and appointed 
as the committee of safety, Samuel Tucker, president ; Hendrick 
Fisher, vice president ; Abraham Clark, secretary ; Azariah 
Dunham, Ruleoffe Van Dyke, Augustine Stevenson, John Pope, 
John Hart,* Joseph Holmes. 

At this session, they modified the act regulating the militia, 
and an act was passed for collecting such munitions of war as 
could be found in the country, to be ready for the struggle which 
they saw was inevitable. Persons who were accused of disaffec- 

*John Hart was one of the signers of the declaration of independence. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 407 

tion to the country, were summoned before them, fined, impris- 
oned, or held to bail ; and if an officer of the government, he 
was suspended. In order to transact other business, they sum- 
moned the congress to meet at New Brunswick, on the 31st of 
January. 

To procure arms and ammunition, was a labor of great diffi- 
culty, in consequence of the continental congress in their war 
with the ministry, having prohibited the importation of these in- 
dispensable articles, the consequence of which was, the country 
was almost bare. On the 6th of February, 1776, the convention 
appointed William Livingston,* John Hart, Richard Smith, John 
Cooper and Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, as delegates to the 
continental congress. 

This congress, like the previous ones, exercised the whole 
power of the state, controlling its funds and directing its armies. 
Their first endeavors were to protect such points as were most 
exposed to the ravages of the British ships of war, and supposing 
New York to be well protected, they concentrated their forces 
for the protection of Perth Amboy and Swedesborough, on the 
Delaware. They were requested to procure two battalions and 
two companies of artillery to guard these exposed points, but 
congress was unable to procure more than twelve small cannon, 
and two companies of artillery. They modified their act in re- 
gard to bearing arms to meet the religious scruples of the society 
of friends, by enacting that all whose religious scruples would not 
allow them to bear arms, could sign with the following proviso : 
" I agree to the above association, as far as the same is consist- 
ent with my religious principles." 

Those who refused to sign this, it was ordered that all arms be 
taken from them, and they were required to give security for 
their peaceable behaviour. They were empowered to arrest all 
persons who might prove dangerous to the common cause. 

All persons between the ages of sixteen and fifty years, were 
required to attend in proper accoutrements, and bear arms, at the 
times and places appointed for general muster, and for failure so 
to do, a fine often shillings was imposed, to be recovered by war- 

* Afterwards governor of the state. 



4o8 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

rant of distress. And to encourage enlistments, the soldiers 
were granted exemption of person and goods from execution for 
small debts. 

Upon the invasion of New York, that city was filled with 
alarm, and many of its inhabitants fled into the neighboring 
counties of New Jersey. This emigration became so numerous 
that congress passed an act requiring all who were able to bear 
arms, and who had fled from other colonies, to immediately re- 
turn to the same, and aid in its defence, unless they had permits 
from the committee of the precinct from which they removed to 
reside in this colony, or unless such residence appeared necessary 
for the support of the resident's family, or he had no visible 
means of support from whence he came and could procure such 
support in this colony. 

This body also, resolved to dissolve itself, and directed an 
election to be held on the fourth Monday of May, following, and 
thence annually, for the members of the provincial congress ; and 
they extended the right to vote for delegates, to all persons who 
had signed the general association, and who had been residents 
of the colony one year previous to the election ; were of full age 
and worth fifty pounds in personal estate. 

Governor Franklin convened the legislature on the i6th of 
November, 1775. In his address, he set forth where he thought 
the colonists had made their mistake in taking up arms against 
the mother country. He said: "I have indeed, the stronger 
inducement to run this risk and to use my influence with the 
other crown officers to do the same, because our retreat would 
necessarily be attributed to either the effect or well grounded ap- 
prehension of violence, and of course, subject the colony to be 
more immediately considered as in actual rebellion, and be pro- 
ductive of mischiefs, which it is my earnest inclination and de- 
termination to prevent as far as may be in my power. Let me 
therefore, gentlemen, entreat you to exert your influence likewise, 
with the people, that they may not by any action of theirs, give 
cause for bringing such calamities on the province. No advan- 
tage can possibly result from the seizing, confinement or ill treat- 
ment of officers, adequate to the certain damage, such acts of 
violence must occasion the province to suffer." 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 409 

The governor seemed to fear his own personal safety, and there- 
fore made that subject the prominent feature of his address, as 
well as to obtain a disavowal from them, of any desire for inde- 
pendence. And the house at this time, concurred in his views, 
and disavowed all sentiments for independence, or any act that 
would have a tendency to encourage such a measure. 

The dread of independence seems at this time, to have occu- 
pied the minds of others besides the governor, and several peti- 
tions were presented from the freeholders of Burlington, praying 
the house, by resolutions, to discourage an independency on 
Great Britain. The house disclaimed any such idea, and re- 
commended the delegates of the colony to use their utmost en- 
deavors to obtain a redress of grievances, and for the restoration 
of the union between the colonies and Great Britain, upon con- 
stitutional principles, and not to give their assent, but to reject 
any propositions that should be made to separate this colony from 
the mother country or change the form of government. 

The governor communicated to the legislature the royal assent 
to the act, for issuing a loan on bills of credit to the amount of 
one hundred thousand pounds. This the assembly had labored 
hard for more than twelve years to obtain, but had always before 
met with opposition from the crown, and now the name of the 
king was no longer potent to open the purses of the people, 
they therefore, declared it inexpedient at this time, to go into 
any increase of salaries of the officers of government, or expedient 
to erect buildings at present, for the better accommodation of 
the members of the legislature. 

The governor, on the 6th of December, 1775, finding himself 
unable to carry his point, prorogued the house until the 3d of 
January, 1776, but it never re-assembled, and thus terminated 
the provincial legislature of New Jersey. 

For more than a year, the whole country had been, not only 
in open rebellion against the king, but its inhabitants had made 
war against those who had preserved their loyalty. 

In the first half of the year 1775, among the great mass of the 
people, these sentiments were real. But the more daring and 
ambitious, had not only foreseen that the continuance of political 
connection with the mother country was not much longer pes- 



4IO HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

sible, but had successfully sought to inspire the people with the 
desire of independence. And every reflecting man believed that 
the severance of the ties that had formerly bound them, was now 
inevitable, though many, from various causes, were disposed to 
postpone the event. 

William Livingston, afterwards governor of New Jersey, in 
1768, wrote in the American Whig, of New York, of which he 
was the editor : " The day dawns in which the foundation of this 
mighty empire is to be laid, by the establishment of a regular 
American constitution. All that has hitherto been done seems to 
be little besides the collection of materials for the construction 
of this glorious fabric. 'Tis time to put them together. The 
transfer of the European part of the great family is so swift and 
our growth so vast, that before seven years roll over our heads, the 
first stone must be laid. Peace or war, famine or plenty, poverty 
or affluence, in a word, no circumstances, whether prosperous or 
adverse, can happen to our parent ; nay, no conduct of hers, 
whether wise or imprudent, no possible temper on her part, will 
put a stop to this building. What an era is this to America ! 
And how loud the call to vigilance and activity ! As we conduct, 
so will it fare with us and our children." 

Thomas Paine, of Bordentown, in his pamphlet styled " Com- 
mon Sense," boldly pronounced a continued connection with 
England unsafe and impracticable, and ridiculed her constitu- 
tion, which had hitherto been deemed a masterpiece. 

This pamphlet was read everywhere, and made friends to the 
cause of independence, and the general belief now was, that a 
reconciliation was impossible, and that the colonies must strike 
for freedom ; that mutual confidence could never again be re- 
stored ; that jealousy, suspicion and hate, would take the place 
of that affection which would be necessary to a beneficial con- 
nection ; that the commercial dependence of America upon 
Great Britain, was injurious to the former, and beneficial to the 
latter ; and that incalculable benefit would be derived to the 
colonies from a fiill liberty to manufacture her raw material and 
to export her products to the markets of the world ; that further 
dependence upon a nation or sovereign, distant three thousand 
miles, ignorant and regardless of their interests, was intolerable 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 411 

in the present rapidly increasing strength and power of the colo- 
nies ; that the hazard in prolonging the contest was as great as 
in the declaration of independence. The people were at once 
aroused, upon finding that they were declared to be in a state of 
rebellion ; that foreign mercenaries had been employed against 
them ; that the tomahawk and scalping knife were engaged in 
the British service, and that the slaves were to be seduced and 
armed against their masters. 

Congress, during the contest, was governed altogether by the 
wishes of the people. On the 15th of May, 1776, they declared 
that his Britanic Majesty, with the lords and commons, had, by 
act of parliament, excluded the united colonies from the protec- 
tion of the crown ; that, not only had their humble petition for 
redress and reconciliation been received with disdain, but the 
whole force of the kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, was 
about to be exerted for their destruction ; that, therefore, it was 
irreconcilable with reason and good conscience for the colonists 
to take the oaths for supporting any government under the crown 
of Great Britain ; and it was necessary that the exercise of every 
kind of authority under the crown should be suppressed, and 
that all the powers of the government should be exercised by the 
people of the colonies for the preservation of internal peace, vir- 
tue and good order, and the defence of their lives, liberties and 
properties, against the hostile invasions and cruel depredations 
of their enemies. At the same time they resolved, " That it be 
recommended to the respective assemblies and conventions of 
the united colonies, where no government sufficient to the exig- 
encies of their affairs has been hitherto established, to adopt such 
government as shall, in the opinions of the representatives of the 
people, best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constit- 
uents in particular, and America in general." 

This was virtually a declaration of independence. 

It was renouncing allegiance to the British crown, and estab- 
lishing a government by the authority of the people, all hope of 
reconciliation having been abandoned, as well as all desire of re- 
union with the parent state. 

Old parties forgot their animosities and united to oppose a 
common oppression. The Quakers, opposed to every form of 



412 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

war, and strongly attached to the parent state and to their church, 
and family connections therein, shrunk with deep sensibility from 
the unnatural contest, and with horror from permanent separation 
and independence. While the royal officers and their depend- 
ents and connections, (a large portion of whom were wealthy and 
distinguished in the province,) beheld in a change of government, 
the loss of official emoluments and influence. 

While these parties opposed the separation, the great body of 
the people were opposed to oppression, and saw in independence 
successfully maintained, bright visions of glory and wealth, and 
hailed with rapture, the recommendation of congress, were anx- 
ious to take the first irrevocable step towards political emancipa- 
tion. 

The provincial congress of New Jersey, elected on the fourth 
Monday of May, in accordance with the act of the preceding 
congress, met at Burlington on the loth of June, 1776, and was 
organized by choosing Samuel Tucker, Esq., president, and 
William Patterson, Esq., secretary. 

Before the 21st of the month, numerous petitions were received 
from East Jersey for and against the formation of a new govern- 
ment ; at which time the convention resolved, that a government 
be formed for regulating the internal police of the colony, in ac- 
cordance with the recommendations of the continental congress 
of the 15 th of May. This recommendation was adopted by a 
vote of fifty-four against three. 

Messrs. Richard Green, of Hunterdon ; John Cooper, of 
Gloucester ; Jonathan D. Sergeant, of Somerset ; Lewis Ogden, 
of Essex ; Jonathan Elmer, of Cumberland ; Elijah Hughes, of 
Cape May ; John Covenhoven, of Monmouth ; John Cleves 
Symes, of Burlington ; Silas Condict, of Morris, and Samuel 
Dick, of Salem, were appointed a committee to prepare a con- 
stitution on the 24th of June, and on the 26th, two days after 
their appointment, they reported a draft of the same, which was 
confirmed on the 2d of July, and continued as the fundamental 
law of the state until the adoption of the new one on the 29th 
of June, 1844. 

Congress, impelled by the tide of public opinion, had gone 
far beyond their resolutions of the 15 th of May, and had actually 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 413 

resolved on declaring the colonies independent states, thereby 
severing forever all political ties which had connected them 
with Great Britain. The convention of New Jersey even yet 
had not abandoned all hope of a reconciliation, and therefore, 
they made a provision in the last clause of their constitution, 
that if reconciliation between her and the colonies should take 
place, and the latter be again taken under the protection and 
government of the crown, the constitution should be null and 
void. This door of retreat was kept open by the fears of the 
president of the convention,* who, in a few months after, claimed 
the clemency of the enemy with whom this clause gave him an 
interest. Other clauses of the constitution show also, that it 
was made for the colony. The laws were to be enacted, and all 
commissions, writs, and indictments, were to be in the name of 
the colony. But on the i8th of July, 1776, the provincial con- 
gress assumed the title of the " Convention of New Jersey." 
And after the declaration of independence, the commissions and 
writs were made in the name of the state ; the indictments con- 
cluded " against the peace of the state," and an act of assembly 
of September 20th, 1777, substituted the word state, in all such 
cases, for the word colony. 

There was a difference of views between the continental con- 
gress and the New Jersey convention, which was condemned by 
some of the latter, who even went so far as to move to defer the 
printing of the constitution for a few days, that the last clause 
might be considered by a full house. It was negatived when not 
more than half the members were present. Notwithstanding 
this. New Jersey was not backward in engaging in the contest. 
She had kept pace with the foremost, and her spirited conduct 
was the more meritorious because it had less of the excitement of 
immediate interest, inasmuch as she had felt no burden, and was 
not irritated by the vexations of commercial restrictions. She 
had no ships, no foreign commerce. She instructed her dele- 
gates in congress, to join in declaring the united colonies inde- 
pendent of Great Britian. 

The constitution above named was formed in great haste, less 

* Samuel Tucker. 



414 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

than two days being consumed in framing the draft, and less 
than six days in adopting it, and the people never having a voice 
in the matter at all, as the whole thing was devised by the dele- 
gates and by them adopted ; notwithstanding all this, it re- 
mained the fundamental law of the state for sixty-eight years. 
In the old constitution, the oiifice of the governor could be vested 
in one individual for life or made hereditary ; the judges may 
be appointed for months, for years, or for life — their number in- 
creased or diminished — and their compensation varied, and the 
courts continued or abolished, at the will of the assembly ; in a 
word, all the other branches were dependent on and at the 
mercy of the legislative branch of the government. 

Under the old constitution, the legislative branch of the state 
was vested in a council and assembly ; under the new, in a 
senate and general assembly. 

The minimum number of the assembly was fixed at thirty-nine, 
three members to each county, without regard to territorial ex- 
tent and population ; in the new constitution, they are ap- 
portioned among the several counties as nearly as may be, ac- 
cording to the number of the inhabitants, the whole number of 
which shall never exceed sixty. In the old constitution, no re- 
gard was paid to territorial extent and population. But the leg- 
islature was empowered to diminish the number or proportion of 
the representatives in the assembly for any county. 

The qualification for a member of council was, that he should 
be worth one thousand pounds proclamation money, and for as- 
sembly, five hundred pounds. Neither mature age, citizenship, 
nor oath of allegiance, were required in the old constitution. In 
the new all property (jualification is abolished. Under the 
present constitution, members of the senate are required 
to be not less than thirty years of age, and a citizen and 
inhabitant of the state for four years, and of the county, one 
year before his election ; and for assembly, he must have attained 
twenty-one years of age, and been an inhabitant and citizen of 
the state two years, and of the county, one year ; and no person 
can be elected to either house, who is not entitled to the right of 
suffrage. 

All electors were required to be of full age, worth fifty pounds. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 415 

clear estate, and a resident of the county twelve months previous 
to the election, under the old constitution. This qualification 
was found to be too Droad, as it admitted all inhabitants of the 
proper age and estate, whether they were bond or free, white or 
black, native or foreign, male or female. 

Under the new constitution, this was remedied, as it provided 
that none should be electors except white male citizens of the 
United States, of the age of twenty-one years, residents of the 
state one year, and of the county five months j and by an act of 
congress in 1869, the right of suffrage was extended to include 
negroes. 

Under the old constitution, the council and general assembly 
in joint meeting assembled, elected the governor annually ; the 
judges of the supreme court and inferior courts, justices of the 
peace, clerks of courts, the attorney general, secretary of state, 
state treasurer, and all general and field officers of the militia. 
Under the new constitution, the governor is elected by the 
people for three years ; the judges of the supreme court and 
chancellor are nominated by the governor, and confirmed by the 
senate, and hold their offices for seven years ; the justices of 
the peace are elected by the people in their several districts, and 
hold their offices for five years ; the attorney general, prosecu- 
tors of the pleas, clerk of the supreme court, clerk of the court 
of chancery and secretary of state, are nominated by the 
governor and appointed by him with the consent of the senate, 
and hold their office for five years. The state treasurer is 
appointed annually by both houses in joint meeting. 

The clerks and surrogates of counties, are elected by the 
people every five years. 

Sheriffs are elected annually by the people, and cannot be re- 
elected for a longer term than three years, respectively. 

Captains, subalterns, and non-commissioned officers are elected 
by the members of their respective companies. Field officers of 
regiments, independent battalions and squadrons, are elected by 
the commissioned officers of their respective regiments, battalions 
or squadrons. Brigadier generals are elected by the field officers 
of their respective brigades. Major Generals are nominated by 



4i6 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the governor, and appointed by him, with the advise and con- 
sent of the senate. 

Brigade inspectors are chosen by the field oflEicers of their re- 
spective brigades. The adjutant general, quartermaster general 
and all other militia officers not provided for in the constitution, 
are appointed by the governor. 

Major generals, brigadier generals and commanding officers of 
regiments, independent battalions, and squadrons, appoints their 
own staff officers of divisions, brigades, regiments, independent 
battalions and squadrons, respectively. 

The old constitution of New Jersey vested in the legisla- 
ture to an alarming degree, all the powers of government. 
The incumbents of chief executive offices, including the judiciary 
were not only dependent upon the legislature for their com- 
missions, but for the amount of their salaries, which they could 
enlarge or diminish at their pleasure. Those, therefor, who held 
position moved by ambition or avarice, whether governor, judges, 
secretary, treasurer, clerks, or chief officers of the army, were 
creatures of the assembly, and not of the people, and from it they 
received life and their daily sustenance. 

By the old constitution, the governor was the supreme execu- 
tive power ; was captain-general of all the militia and other 
military force ; was chancellor, ordinary and surrogate general, 
hence, none but a man well versed in the law, was competent to 
occupy the post ; he was also president of council, and judge of 
the court of appeals in the last resort, and in council had the 
casting vote in their proceedings in case the house was evenly 
divided, 

Under the old constitution, seven members constituted a 
quorum in either house, under the new, it requires a majority of 
the members of either house to constitute a quorum, and a 
majority of all the members are necessary to pass a bill, and it 
does not then become a law until approved by the governor. 

Under the new constitution, the executive formed a part of the 
court, and the court consisting of members annually chosen, 
and perhaps as often changed, and whose education as well as 
pursuits did not always qualify them to determine legal questions, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 417 

yet these same gentlemen sat to revise, and perhaps to reverse 
decisions given by the best legal authority of the land.* 

While the old constitution guaranteed to all, the right to 
worship God, according to the dictates of their conscience, and 
that they should not be compelled to attend any place of worship 
that did not accord with their own faith and judgment, and that 
they should not be compelled to pay tithes, taxes or any other 
rates for the purpose of building or repairing any church, or place 
of worship, or to maintain any minister or ministry, contrary to 
what they believed to be right, or had voluntarily engaged them- 
selves to perform. No establishment of any one religious sect, 
in preference to another, was allowed ; no protestant inhabitant 
was to be denied the enjoyment of any civil right, merely on 
account of his religious principles ; but all persons professing a 
belief in the faith of a?iy protestant sect, whose conduct under the 
government was peaceable, was capable of being elected to any 
office of profit or trust. 

This last clause was much less liberal than were the concessions 
of the proprietors ; it was modelled on the laws of England, and 
excluded Catholics from office. While this intolerance had 
ceased in England, it was here continued under the constitution, 
and the Catholic christian, with all others who did not profess a 
belief in the faith of a protestant sect, were excluded from full 
participation in civil rights. This remained a foul blot on the 
country, until the adoption of the new constitution in 1844, 
which not only set forth in its broadest sense, the liberty of 
conscience, and the aright of all to worship God, according to the 
dictates of their own consciences, but it also enacted — " That 
there shall be no establishment of one religious sect, in prefer- 
ence to another ; no religious test shall be required, as a qualifi- 
cation for any office or public trust ; and no person shall be 



* Members of the bar were frequently elected to council, to whom the fore- 
going remarks were not applicable. The business of this court might render 
it necessary that the councillors should all be lawyers, as it was required the 
governor should be, no one else being competent to perform the duties of the 
office. 

2 D 



41 8 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

denied the enjoyment of any civil right, merely on account of 
his religious principles. 

The first council and assembly, under the constitution adopted 
in 1776, met at Princeton. 

The revolutionary period has been truly termed, " the time 
that tried men's souls." The breaking of the ties that had kept 
them as a nation more than a century were hard to sunder, but they 
were forced to do it, in consequence of the oppression of the 
mother country. The declaration of independence had broken 
the unanimity that had previously existed against resistance to 
the unjust measures of the parent state. A large majority of the 
people had adhered to their professions of loyalty to Great 
Britain, with a religious tenacity, concientiously believing that 
their political happiness and salvation existed only in the British 
empire. Besides many were bound by the tenderest ties of blood 
and affinity. They had emigrated from there to the foreign 
wilds of the western continent, had left behind them their 
kindred and friends, to seek an asylum in a country where they 
could enjoy undisturbed all the privileges of religious, as well as 
political freedom. 

Opposed to American independence, there was also men of 
desperate character, who confiding in the strength and success of 
Great Britain, availed themselves of their protection to prey upon 
the country, and while pretending loyalty to the mother country, 
and their desire to punish treason against it, used this method to 
gratify their own evil passions, and to revenge themselves upon 
those who opposed them. Bands of these marauders infested the 
forests and shores of the eastern part of the state, particularly in 
the county of Monmouth, and the mountains of Morris and Sussex 
counties. New York, one of the largest, richest and most power- 
ful of'the royal colonies, was the most divided upon the question 
of independence. The tories were there protected by the English 
forces. 

They were numerous, wealthy and active, and had many friends 
and dependents in East Jersey, over whom they exeicised a 
dangerous influence. New Jersey being a frontier state, was ex- 
posed to all the dangers and miseries of border warfare. At one 
time the enemy lay upon the northern and southern boundaries, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 419 

and her losses in proportion to her wealth and population were 
probably greater than those of any other state, except South 
Carolina. 

Upon the arrival of the British army in 1776, the disaffected 
in New York and New Jersey were collected into a body, under 
officers selected from among themselves. 

Mr. Courtlandt Skinner, late attorney general of this state, his 
brother, the late treasurer, together with every member of the 
family, adhered to the enemy, Courtlandt, was, also, appointed 
a brigadier, and directed to raise two thousand five hundred 
men, but he was unable to raise more than five hundred. 

On the 1 8th of July, an ordinance was adopted removing the 
pains and penalties of treason from all who should take up arms 
in defence of the colonies against the mother country. 

Governor Franklin at once joined with those who were op- 
posed to taking up arms. He sought to control the torrent of 
public opinion, but he found it too strong for him to attempt to 
turn its course, and was, therefore, compelled to stand by, an 
almost idle spectator, while it swept away all the powers which 
lately pertained to him, the abandonment of which he used his 
utmost endeavors to prevent, but in vain. Before the new gov- 
ernment had been formally adopted by this state, the whole 
political power had passed, by the voice of the people, to their 
delegates in convention, which became the government de facto; 
and the powers of royal authority were at once suspended, by 
the exercise of those derived from the people. The governor 
strove to prevent this, by endeavoring again to set in action what 
little was left of His Majesty's government. 

Of the thirty members of the assembly, only seven were mem- 
bers of the convention, and the governor knowing that some of 
these were distinguished as royalists, sought to array one popular 
assembly against another. He therefore, on the thirteenth of 
May, issued a proclamation, in the name of the King, summon- 
ing the house to meet on the twentieth of June. 

As soon as this proclamation was issued, the provincial con- 
gress saw the mischief it was likely to accomplish, and at once 
prepared to defeat it, and resolved by a vote of thirty-eight to 
eleven, that the proclamation of William Franklin, late governor, 



420 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

ought not to be obeyed, and on the sixteenth of June, they re- 
solved by a vote of thirty-five to ten, that by such proclamation, 
he had acted in direct contempt, and violation of the resolution 
of the continental congress of the fifteenth of May, and had 
proved himself an enemy to the liberties of the country, and by 
a vote of forty-seven to three, they further resolved, that all pay- 
ments of money, on account of salary, or otherwise, to him, as 
governor, should thenceforth cease ; and that the treasurers of 
the province should account for the moneys in their hands to the 
provincial congress, or to the future legislature of the colony, 
and that measures should be immediately taken to secure his 
person. 

Congress immediately issued an order to Colonel Nathanial 
Heard of the first battalion of the Middlesex militia, to cause 
his arrest, at the same time enjoining upon him, to conduct the 
necessary business, with all the delicacy and tenderness which 
its nature could possibly admit. A written parol was sent to 
Colonel Heard, with a blank space for him to fill up, and at the 
choice of Mr. Franklin, with the name of Princeton, Bordentown 
or his own farm at Rancocas, as the limits in which he was to 
abide. In case he signed the parol, congress was willing to de- 
pend upon his honor for its faithful performance. But in case 
he refused to sign, he was to be put under strong guard, and 
kept in close custody until further orders. 

On the seventeenth, Colonel Heard and Major Jonathan 
Deare, waited on the governor at Amboy, to get hirn to comply 
with the order of congress, and sign the parol. This he refused 
to do, upon which they surrounded his house with a guard of 
sixty men, and immediately sent a messenger to report their pro- 
ceedings, and receive further instructions from congress, then in 
session at Burlington, who ordered that Mr. Franklin should be 
immediately brought to that place. 

The further proceedings relative to his case, and the final 
action thereon, has been more fully detailed in a previous chap- 
ter. 

The patriots at first manifested the most lenient measures to- 
ward the disaffected, and all taken with arms, were treated as 
prisoners of war, and those not in arms but who were known as 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 421 

opposed to the measures inaugurated, were treated with no more 
severity, than was sufficient to prevent them from committing 
the mischief they meditated. On the 2d of January, 1776, con- 
gress passed resolutions recommending to the several township 
and county committees, as well as other friends of the cause, to 
explain to the honest and misguided, the nature of the contro- 
versy, as well as the many, but fruitless efforts that had been 
made to bring about a reconciliation, but to proceed vigorously 
against all active partizans from whom danger might be appre- 
hended, disarming them, and keeping them in safe custody, or 
bmding them with sufficient sureties for their good behaviour. 
Congress had great faith in the power of reason and gentle treat- 
ment, on the presumption, that those who were among the 
disaffected, were generally misinformed. 

In New York and New Jersey the British were received in open 
arms by the disaffected, as their deliverers from oppression. 

The articles of association of 1775, was the entering wedge of 
division, between the parties of New Jersey, as well as in other 
parts of America. Those who refused to sign, or after having 
signed, disobeyed their requirements, were considered as ene- 
mies to their country, and as such, where not only denounced 
by the township and county committees, but were fined and 
imprisoned by the order of such committees, as well as that of 
the provincial convention and committee of safety. Notwith- 
standing these measures, counter associations were attempted, 
who resolved to pay no tax levied by order of the provincial con- 
gress, nor to purchase any goods distrained for such taxes, or for 
non-attendance at militia musters. 

These, as well as other demonstrations of a like measure, 
manifesting hostility, induced the committee of safety of the 
province, on the 15th of January, 1776, earnestly to recommend 
to the several county and town committees, the prompt execution 
of the resolutions of the continental congress, adopted on the 2d 
of that month, recommending due moderation and prudence, 
and requesting all officers of militia to lend their assistance. 

In accordance with this resolution, several persons from 
different parts of the state, were brought before the committee 
of safety, and the continental congress who continued their 



422 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

sitting from the thirty-first of January, to the second of March, 
1776. Most of the prisoners confessed their faults, craved par- 
don, and were either dismissed without further punishment, or 
subjected to a small fine, or ordered to give security in various 
sums for their future good behaviour. 

Congress again assembled on the loth of June, at which time 
memorials were presented from several counties, complaining of 
the hostile intentions and proceedings of the disaffected, particu- 
larly in Monmouth, Hunterdon, Bergen and Sussex counties, at 
which the county committees were ordered to summon those 
charged to appear before the convention. Having heard on the 
26th of June, of several insurgents in the county of Monmouth, 
who were using all their endeavors to contravene the acts of 
congress, and to oppose the cause of American freedom, there- 
upon they directed Colonel Charles Reade, to take to his aid 
two companies of Burlington county militia, and proceed with- 
out delay, to the county of Monmouth, and apprehend such in- 
surgents as were designated to him by the president of the com- 
mittee. 

At the same time information was received of persons in the 
county of Hunterdon, who had united together to oppose the 
measures of congress, and had even gone so far as to com- 
mence acts of open daring and violence, that they had plundered 
the house of a Captain Jones, beaten, wounded and in other 
ways abused the friends of freedom in the county, and publicly 
declared, that they would take up arms in behalf of the King of 
Great Britain. 

To eff"ectually check this combination, which assumed so hos- 
tile and dangerous a character, Lieutenant Colonel Abraham 
Ten Eick and Major John Berry were directed, with the militia 
of the counties of Hunterdon and Somerset, to apprehend these 
insurgents, and on the first of July the provincial congress re- 
solved, that the several colonels of the counties, should, without 
delay, proceed to disarm all persons within their district, 
who, from religious principles, or other causes, refused to bear 
arms. Two days after, an additional order was given to Colo- 
nel Charles Reade, Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Forman and 
Major John Haight, to take two hundred militia of Burlington, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 423 

and the same number from Monmouth county, and proceed with- 
out delay, to quell an insurrection in Monmouth, and to disarm 
and take prisoners all whom they should find assembled, with 
the intent to oppose the friends of American freedom, and to 
adopt such measures as they should think necessary to accom- 
plish the object. 

On the 4th of July, congress resolved, " that as divers persons 
in the county of Monmouth, who had embodied themselves in 
opposition to its measures, had expressed their willingness to re- 
turn to their duty, upon assurances of pardon, alleging, that they 
have been seduced and misled by the false and malicious reports 
of others ; such persons as should, without delay, return peacea- 
bly to their homes, and conform to the orders of congress, should 
be treated with lenity and indulgence, and upon their good 
behaviour, be restored to the favor of their country ; providing, 
that such as appeared to have been the leaders and principals in 
these disorders, and who, to their other guilt, had added that of 
seducing the weak and the unwary, should yet be treated accord- 
ing to their demerits." 

The refugee royalists frequently perpetrated their outrages 
against the persons of the distinguished patriots of the state. 
Among their first successful attempts, was that on Mr. Richard 
Stockton, of Princeton. On the entrance of the British army 
into New Jersey, after the capture of Fort Washington, that 
gentleman withdrew from congress, in order to protect his family 
and property, at his seat near Princeton. He removed his wife 
and younger children into the county of Monmouth, about thirty 
miles from the supposed route of the British army. 

On the 30th of November, he was, together with his friend and 
compatriot John Covenhoven, at whose house he resided, dragged 
from his bed at night, stripped and plundered, and carried by 
way of Amboy to New York. 

At Amboy he was exposed to severe cold weather in the com- 
mon jail, which, together with subsequent barbarity in New York, 
laid the foundation for disease, that terminated his existence in 
1 781. His release was probably owing to the interference by 
congress in January. 

From the actual assumption of political independence, to that 



424 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

of a formal declaration, the interval could not be long. The 
same day the resolution recommending to the colonies a change 
in their form of government, was adopted, the convention in 
Virginia resolved unanimously, that their delegates in congress 
should propose lo that body, to declare the united colonies free 
and independent states, absolved from all allegiance to, or de- 
pendence on the King and parliament of Great Britain. The 
public mind was now fully prepared for the measure, in fact were 
looking forward anxiously for it. 

The assemblies of Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York, 
which had displayed the greatest reluctance and held out the 
longest, at length assented to it. The proposition was made in 
congress, on the 7th of June, 1776, by Richard Henry Lee of 
Virginia, and seconded by Mr. John Adams, of Massachusetts, 
" that the united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and 
independent states, and that all political connexion between them 
and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dis- 
solved." The resolution was referred to the committee of the 
whole congress, where it was daily debated. Messrs. Lee and 
Adams were the most distinguished speakers in favor of the 
resolution. Adams had been characterized as " the ablest advo- 
cate," of independence. Mr. John Dickenson, author of the 
"Farmers Letters," which had signally served to awaken the 
resistance of the people to British oppression, opposed it. Mr. 
Dickenson's views were those of a sincere, yet timid patriot. 

He afterwards discovered that his fears were groundless, and 
was among the most ardent in aiding to mature and perfect the 
institutions of independent America. 

In resisting the declaration of independence, he was honest 
in his views, being apprehensive for his country. At this 
period, no man could be more obnoxious to British statesmen, 
than the author of the Farmers Letters, who was now in 
possession of a colonel's commission, and was, in the month of 
July, 1776, upon the lines of New Jersey and New York. 

The same thing which weighed upon his mind affected the 
minds of others ; among whom were Wilson of Pennsylvania, 
R. R. Livingston, of New York, E. Rutledge and R. Laurens of 
South Carolina, and William Livingston of New Jersey, who. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 425 

although they did not doubt the absolute inexpediency of the 
measure, considered it premature. 

On the first of July, the resolution declaratory of independence, 
was approved by the committee of all the colonies except Penn- 
sylvania and Delaware. Seven of the delegates from the former 
were present, four of whom voted against it. Mr. Rodney, one 
of the delegates from Delaware was absent, and the other two, 
Thomas McKean voted for and George Read against the resolu- 
tion. The further consideration of it was postponed until the 
next day, when the resolution was finally adopted and entered 
on the journals. 

Pending this memorable discussion, a committee, consisting 
of Messrs. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin 
Roger Sherman and R. R. Livingston, was appointed to prepare 
the declaration of independence. A sub-committee, consisting 
of Messrs. Jefferson and Adams, were appointed, whose special 
duty it was to prepare the draft, which was made by the former. 
It was adopted by the chief committee without amendment, and 
reported to congress on the twenty-eighth of June. On the 
fourth of July, havi-ng received some slight alterations, it was 
sanctioned by the vote of every colony. 

The delegation in congress from New Jersey, was Messrs. 
William Livingston, John DeHart, Richard Smith, John Cooper 
and Jonathan Dickenson Sergeant. These were elected by the 
convention on the 14th of February, 1776. After the proposi- 
tion of May 15th, for organizing provincial governments, it 
would seem that nearly all these gentlemen were reluctant to 
assume the responsibiHty of adopting measures, which event- 
ually led to independence. On the twelfth, Richard Smith, by 
alleging indisposition resigned his seat; on the 13th, John 
DeHart resigned, and on the 21st of June, Mr. Sergeant re- 
signed. Mr. Cooper does not appear to have taken any part in 
the proceedings, although his name with that of Mr. Sergeant, 
appears on the minutes of the state convention, from the loth of 
June to the 4th of July. Mr. Livingston was withdrawn on the 
5th of June, being appointed brigadier general of the militia of 
New Jersey. 

Messrs. Richard Stockton, Abraham Clarke, John Hart, 



426 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Francis Hopkinson and Dr. John Witherspoon, were substituted 
for the previous delegation, on the 21st of June, and were all of 
them present at the time the final vote was taken upon the 
resolution, and the declaration of independence, and affixed 
their signatures to that important document, by instructions 
from the provincial congress of New Jersey, empowering them 
to declare the united colonies independent of Great Britain. 

On the 17th of July, the provincial congress resolved, that, 
" Whereas, the honorable, the continental congress have de- 
clared the united colonies free and independent states. ' We, the 
deputies of New Jersey, in provincial congress assembled, do re- 
solve and declare, that we will support the freedom and in- 
dependence of the said states, with our lives and fortunes, and 
with the whole force of New Jersey.' " And on the succeeding 
day they changed the style and title of the "provincial con- 
gress of New Jersey," to that of the " Convention of the state 
of New Jersey." 



CHAPTER XIX. 

1775—1776. 

Our people divided on the war question — First blow at Lexing- 
ton — Opposition to the claiins of the British parliaj7ient — Cap- 
ture of the Hessians — Death of Colotiel Rahl — Washington re- 
crosses the Delaware. 

WE have now arrived at the most serious and important part 
of the history of our country, when without a government, 
and with no money, or munitions of war, and when even the 
people themselves were divided in sentiment upon the ex- 
pediency of the measure, it was resolved to take up arms against 
the best organized, most powerful and wealthiest nation in the 
world, and to either carry out the principles of the declaration 
of independence, adopted in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, 
on the 4th of July, 1776, or perish in the attempt. 

The first blow had been struck at Lexington in Massachusetts, 
on the 19th of April, 1775, which had aroused the whole country, 
and at which eight Americans had been slain by the British army, 
under Major Pitcairn, with a large body of the flower of the 
English army, against only seventy minute-men. This occa- 
sioned intense and burning indignation, throughout the length 
and breadth of the land. On the 17th of June of the same year, 
was fought the ever memorable battle of Bunker Hill, on the 
Heights of Charleston, which caused the people in every direc- 
tion to fly to arms. The husbandman, changed his plow for a 
musket, and about 15,000 men from Massachusetts, New Hamp- 
shire, Rhode Island and Connecticut, at once rushed to the 
vicinity of Boston, and placing themselves under General Ward, 



428 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

were ready to cope with the disciplined and well equipped 
British troops, under Generals Gage, Howe, Clinton, Burgoyne, 
Pigot, and others, then occupying Boston. 

** Blood had been shed at Lexington, and cried aloud from 
the ground for vengeance, and volunteers had hastened hither, 
towards the scene of action, and within a few days Boston was 
besieged by the outraged people. Stark of New Hampshire, in 
ten minutes after the news reached him, was on his way to join 
the patriot force. Israel Putnam, of Connecticut, at this time in 
the sixtieth year of his age, was peacefully occupied in plowing, 
when the tidings of the battle arrived ; he left his plow in the 
field, and without even going to his house, sped on his way to 
the camp."* 

" Early in July, 1775, Georgia entered into the opposition 
made to the claims of the British parliament to tax America^ 
chose delegates to congress, after which the style of ' The thir- 
teen united colonies,' was assumed, and by that title the English 
provinces, confederated and in arms, were thenceforth desig- 
nated."! Ticonderoga, in the state of New York, was captured 
by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold, with a force of eighty- 
three men, on the morning of the loth of May, taking the whole 
garrison of the fort prisoners, before they had even time to array 
themselves in their clothing, having been aroused from their 
beds, by three hearty cheers from the Green Mountain boys, as 
they hurried up the sally-port. Captain DeLaplace, who was 
in command of the fort, was still in bed. Allen knocked at the 
door with the hilt of his huge sword, and in stentorian voice, 
ordered him, instantly to appear, or his entire garrison would be 
put to death. He made his appearance at the door, half dressed; 
his pretty wife peering over his shoulders in affright, and gazing 
at Allen in bewildered astonishment, half awake, inquired by 
whose authority he acted ; whereupon, that veteran flourishing 
his long sword, and with an oath exclaimed : "In the name of 
the Great Jehovah, and the continental congress." 

Seeing there was no other alternative, DeLaplace surrendered, 

* Spencer's history of the United States, p. 352. 
f Ibid. p. 365. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 429 

and in two days after, Crown Point, twenty miles distant, was 
surprised and taken, by which more than two hundred pieces of 
artillery, with a large and valuable supply of powder and muni- 
tions of war, which was greatly needed, fell into the hands of 
the Americans. 

The second continental congress met on the loth of May, in 
Philadelphia, and in order to meet the expenses of the campaign, 
voted three million dollars in continental money, to bear the in- 
scription of "the united colonies," the faith of the con- 
federacy being pledged for the redemption, and towards the close 
of June they issued an additional sum of three millions. At this 
time the actual force of the American army was about fourteen 
thousand. 

"The American army with about fourteen thousand men were 
posted on the heights around Boston, the British occupied 
Bunker and Breed's Hill, and Boston Neck."* Montreal was 
surrendered by the British on the 3d of November, and was soon 
after occupied by the American troops. 

General Montgomery, with three hundred men, then marched 
upon Quebec, expecting to meet Arnold there with his detach- 
ment, who were to penetrate that province by the way of Maine. 

Arnold had started with one thousand men about the middle 
of September, and after sustaining almost incredible hardships, 
he arrived on the 9th of November, at Point Levi, opposite 
to Quebec, crossed the St. Lawrence on the night of the 13th, 
but from the hardships he had endured during the march, his 
army was reduced to seven hundred men. He then marched 
towards Quebec, intending to surprise it, but being convinced 
that the enemy were ready to receive him, he was obliged to re- 
tire, and on the 1 8th he marched to join Montgomery, at Point 
aux Trembles. 

Montgomery was killed on the 31st day of December at Que- 
bec, Captains Cheesman and McPherson, his aides-de-camp, as 
well as several soldiers in front of the army, were wounded. See- 
ing the odds were so strongly against them, the continental army 
were obliged to retreat. Arnold advanced to the attack with 

* Spencer, p, 362, 



430 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

desperation, and in assaulting the first barrier, he received a 
severe wound in the leg, obliging him to quit the field. Had 
this wound have been mortal, and the brave Montgomery saved 
instead of Arnold, the latter instead of being disgraced, as sub- 
sequently occurred, would have died a martyr to his country, 
and found a soldier's and a patriot's grave, beneath the rock- 
built walls of Quebec ; but it was ordered otherwise — the patriot 
Montgomery was slain, and the traitor Arnold was spared. 

And as Mr. Irving says — " His name, like that of Montgomery, 
would have been treasured up among the dearest, though mourn- 
ful recollections of his country, and that country would have 
been spared the single traitorous blot that dims the bright page 
of its revolutionary history." 

After this defeat the American army was driven out of 
Canada, Carleton having surrendered, Morgan, upon whom the 
command fell after Arnold was wounded, and four hundred and 
twenty-six of Morgan's command were obliged to surrender, 
Carleton having with his detachment got in his rear, there was 
no other alternative left him. 

On the first of January, 1776, Norfolk, in Virginia, was bom- 
barded by the British fleet, under Lord Dinmore, and property 
to the value of three hundred thousand pounds was destroyed. 

Sir Henry Clinton attacked Charleston, South Carolina, on the 
28th of June, but was unsuccessful, and was obliged to retire 
with his fleet, from whence he sailed to New York. 

Our army was in no condition at this time to cope with so 
powerful an enemy. They had met with several reverses, the 
most serious of which was on Long Island, from which place 
they were compelled to withdraw for want of means to render 
their position tenable. After frequent remonstrances from the 
commander-in-chief, and soon after the defeat on Long Island 
congress became awake to the condition of affairs, and proposed 
a permanent army, enlisted for the war, to be composed of 
eighty battalions, to be raised by the states, in proportion to 
their ability ; these were apportioned as follows : New Hamp- 
shire, three; Massachusetts, fifteen; Rhode Island, two; Con- 
necticut, eight ; New York, four ; New Jersey, four ; Pennsylva- 
nia, twelve ; Delaware, one : Maryland, three ; Virginia, fifteen ; 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 431 

North Carolina, nine; South Carolina, six; and Georgia, one; 
making a total of eighty-eight. They also held out as induce- 
ments to enlist, a bounty of twenty dollars to each recruit, and 
portions of vacant land was promised to each officer and soldier. 
To a colonel they promised five hundred acres ; lieutenant-colo- 
nel, four hundred and fifty; major, four hundred; captain, 
three hundred ; lieutenant, two hundred ; ensign, one hundred 
and fifty; and to non-commissioned officers and privates, one 
hundred acres of land. 

General Washington established his army at Forts Washington 
and Lee, on the Hudson river, for the purpose of preserving the 
navigation of that stream. 

By having possession of both sides of the river, it essentially 
checked the movements of General Howe, who lay above that 
point, and who deemed the complete possession of the entire 
island of New York an object of great importance, and deter- 
mined to effect it at the first favorable moment. 

General Washington wrote to Governor Livingston, that in 
the movement General Howe was then making, he would not 
content himself with investing Fort Washington, but would 
invade the Jerseys. He urged the governor to put the militia of 
New Jersey in condition to reinforce the continental army, and 
to take the place of the new levies — a body of men between 
militia and regulars — whose term of service expired on the first 
of December, and who could not be depended on to continue 
with the army a longer period than that for which they had 
engaged. Intelligence of this movement was also given to Gen- 
eral Nathaniel Greene, who was in command in New Jersey, and 
his attention was particularly directed to Fort Washington. He 
was advised to increase his magazines around Princeton, and 
diminish those near New York. He was also apprehensive that 
Howe would attempt to cross at Dobbs' Ferry, and envelope the 
troops about Fort Lee, as well as those in Fort Washington. 

General Greene was also advised of this, and drew his 
men from Amboy — a body of whom he posted on the heights to 
defend the passage at Dobbs' Ferry. 

At this time General Washington had his headquarters at 
Hackensack. 



432 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The garrison of Fort Washington was under the command of 
Colonel Magraw, a brave and intrepid officer. General Howe, 
with his army, crossed the Hudson river in boats, and on the 
15th of November he summoned the garrison to surrender on 
pain of being put to the sword ; upon which Colonel Magraw 
replied that he should defend it to the last extremity. This 
summons was immediately communicated to General Greene, at 
Fort Lee, and by him to the commander-in-chief at Hackensack. 
Washington immediately rode to Fort Lee, and though late in 
the night, was proceeding to Fort Washington, where he ex- 
pected to meet Generals Putnam and Greene, when, in crossing 
the river, he met those officers, returning from a visit to that 
post, when, having a good report from them, they returned to- 
gether to Fort Lee. 

But although the place was extremely strong, the British car- 
ried it by storm about ten o'clock in the morning, the British 
being reinforced by the arrival of a detachment which had 
crossed the Harlem river; they were overpowered and com- 
pelled to abandon their lines and retreat towards the fort. This 
retreat having been conducted with considerable confusion, a 
part of the men were intercepted by the division under Colonel 
Stirling and made prisoners. The British general having car- 
ried the lines and all the strong ground adjoining them, again 
summoned Colonel Magraw to surrender. While the capitula- 
tion was in progress. General Washington sent him word to hold 
out until evening, when he would endeavor to bring off the gar- 
rison ; but Magraw had already proceeded too far to retract. It 
is not likely, however, that the place could have resisted an 
assault from so formidable a force as threatened them on every 
side, as the first division, consisting of two columns of Hessians 
and Waldeckers, amounting to about five thousand men, under 
command of General Knyphausen, had invested them on the 
north ; the second, consisting of the first and second battalions 
of British light infantry and two battalions of guards, under 
Brigadier-General Mathews, supported by Lord Cornwallis, at 
the head of the first and second battalions of grenadiers and the 
thirty-first regiment, was on the east; while the third division, 
under Lieutenant-Colonel Sterling, crossed the river higher up; 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 433 

and the fourth, under Lord Percy, accompanied by General 
Howe in person, was to attack the lines in front and on the 
south side. 

The attacks on the north and south by General Knyphausen 
and Lord Percy, were made upon Colonel Rawlings and General 
Cadwalader at about the same instant, who maintained their 
ground for a considerable time ; but while General Cadwalader 
was engaged in the first line against Lord Percy, on the south, 
the second and third divisions dispersed the troops fronting 
Harlem river, together with a detachment sent by Cadwalader 
to support them. 

The fort in which they had taken refuge being too small to 
contain all the troops, and their ammunition being nearly ex- 
hausted, they were compelled to surrender as prisoners of war. 

The prisoners taken on this occasion was reported by General 
Howe to have been two thousand six hundred, exclusive of 
officers, but General Washington reported them at two thousand. 

This was the greatest loss the Americans had yet sustained, 
and their cause bore a hopeless aspect, but General Washington, 
having full confidence in the justness of the cause and of their 
final success, at once set about to concert measures that would 
ultimately accomplish their overthrow, and after the surrender 
of Fort Washington he made arrangements to evacuate Fort 
Lee and remove the stores to the interior of New Jersey, but on 
the 19th of November, before this could be accomplished, a de- 
tachment of the enemy, commanded by Lord Cornwallis, 
amounting to about six thousand men, crossed the North River 
below Dobbs' ferry, and by a rapid march, endeavored to hem 
in the garrison, between the Hudson and Hackensack rivers, 
and with great difficulty the safety of the garrison was accom- 
plished by crossing a bridge over the latter river. Our army 
lost at Fort Lee all their heavy cannon, except two twelve 
pounders, together with a large quantity of provisions and military 
stores, which fell into the hands of the enemy. 

He then posted his troops along the western bank of the 
Hackensack river, but he was unable to defend his position, 
having only three thousand effective men, who were exposed to 

2 E 



434 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the inclemency of the weather, without tents, in a level country 
without an entrenching tool, and among people who were in no 
wise zealous in the American cause ; and being still enclosed by 
two rivers, the Hackensack and Passaic, his position was there- 
by rendered more dangerous. The position of affairs was now 
gloomy indeed, and no reliance could be placed on reinforce- 
ments from any quarter. 

He directed General Schuyler to hasten to his assistance from 
Ticonderoga the troops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, who 
had remained stationed there until General Carlton had retired 
from that position. But the march was long, their term of 
service nearly expired, and they refused to re-enlist. General 
Mercer, who commanded part of the troops stationed at Bergen, 
was called in, but these troops had engaged to serve only, until 
the first of December, and like other six months men, had 
abandoned the army in great numbers. 

General Washington, with Beal's, Heard's and part of Irvine's 
brigades, crossed at Acquackanonck bridge, and posted them- 
selves at Newark, on the south side of the Passaic river. 

Washington now endeavored to collect such a force as might 
preserve the semblance of an army, to accomplish which, he sent 
General Mifflin to Pennsylvania, and Colonel Joseph Reed, his 
adjutant general, who was well known and highly valued in New 
Jersey, to Governor Livingston, to urge upon him the absolute 
and immediate necessity of making further exertions to prevent 
the whole state from being overrun. 

In this perilous state of things, he found it necessary to de- 
tach Colonel Foreman of the New Jersey militia, to suppress an 
insurrection which threatened to break out in the county of 
Monmouth, where great numbers still clung to the royal cause. 

The British now crossed the Passaic river, and General Wash- 
ington, unable to make an effective resistance against them, 
abandoned his position, and on the 28th of November, as Lord. 
Cornwallis entered Newark, he retreated to New Brunswick. 

December ist was the time when the Maryland and Jersey 
troops in the flying camp were entitled to their discharge, and 
General Washington had now the mortification of seeing his 
small army still more enfeebled by the abandonment of these 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 435 

troops almost in sight of an advancing enemy. The Pennsylva- 
nia militia of the same class had engaged to serve until the first 
of January, but so many of them deserted, that it became necessary 
to place guards on the roads and ferries over the Delaware to 
apprehend the fugitives. 

While at New Brunswick, the commander-in-chief again urged 
upon Governor Livingston, that the intention of the enemy was 
to pass through New Jersey to Philadelphia, and that it was 
necessary to adopt some measure which would effectually call 
out the strength of ^ the state to his support, and for its own de- 
fence. But the governor was unable to furnish the aid re- 
quired. 

The legislature had removed from Princeton to Trenton, and 
from Trenton to Burlington, but had now adjourned, and the 
members had returned to their homes to look after their own 
interests. In the middle counties, those who were in favor of 
the cause of the patriots were compelled to remain quiet by the 
British army, then in their midst. In the lower counties, they 
were continually overawed by the tories, or paralyzed by the 
non-combating Quakers. Not that this class of the population 
were less patriotic than others, but their religion forbade them to 
take up arms. And in Morris and Sussex counties, the militia 
turned out slowly. Washington in this crisis again urged 
General Lee to hasten to his assistance. 

Washington kept his troops in constant motion for the purpose 
of concealing his weakness, and to endeavor to retard the ad- 
vance of Cornwallis, creating an opinion that the Americans 
meditated an attack upon him, but as the British approached the 
opposite side of the bridge, he was compelled to retire from New 
Brunswick. He left Lord Sterling in Princeton, with two bri- 
gades from Virginia and Delaware, in all twelve hundred men, 
for the purpose of watching the enemy, while he continued his 
march, with the residue of his army, to Trenton. He had di- 
rected to collect and place under sufficient guard all the boats 
on the Delaware river, from Philadelphia upwards, for seventy 
miles in order to stop the progress of the enemy at this river, 
hoping that in the meantime reinforcements would arrive, 
sufficient to enable him to dispute its passage. He then with. 



436 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

great labor transported his few remaining military stores and 
baggage across the Delaware, determining to remain there as 
long as possible with the small force that still adhered to him. 

In his retreat into and through New Jersey, he met with every 
circumstance that could embarrass and depress him, which com- 
menced immediately after the heavy loss he had sustained at 
Fort Washington, in fourteen days after, the whole flying camp 
claimed its discharge, as well as other troops, whose time of 
service expired about the same time, were leaving him daily. 
Every man of the two New Jersey regiments, which had been 
forwarded by General Gates, and were under General St. Clair, 
left as soon as they entered their own state, and nothing was 
left of them but a few officers. Those who were with Washing- 
ton, composed mostly of the garrison of Fort Lee, had no tents, 
blankets or shoes, and were without the necessary utensils to 
cook their provisions. 

Scarce any one joined him during his retreat, which occupied 
nineteen days to march ninety miles, while numbers daily flocked 
to the royal army, to make their peace with them, and crave 
protection. The British army was well appointed, well clad, 
brilliant and imposing, while that of our own was in tatters, and 
were reproached by the tories, as ragamuffins. While our army 
was in this condition, the King of Great Britain issued a procla- 
mation to all persons assembled in arms against his Majesty's 
government, to disband and return to their homes, and to the 
civil officers to desist from their treasonable practices, and give 
up their usurped authority. A full pardon was offered to all, 
who, within sixty days would appear before an officer of the 
crown, claim the benefit of the proclamation, and subscribe a 
declaration of submission to the royal authority. A great many 
took advantage of this and craved the protection of their 
conquerors, upon the plea that they were opposed to the 
measures adopted, and were at all times opposed to indepen- 
dence. 

Washington having secured his baggage and stores, and learn- 
ing that Cornwallis had stopped at New Brunswick, detached 
twelve hundred men to Princeton, on the 6lh of December, 
hoping by his appearing to advance, he might not only delay 
the progress of the British, but reanimate the people of the state. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 437 

General Mifflin having been highly successful in raising troops 
in Pennsylvania, and particularly in Philadelphia, where a 
large proportion of the inhabitants of that city capable of bear- 
ing arms, had associated in defence of the country, fifteen hun- 
dred of whom now marched to Trenton ; congress also ordered a 
German battalion to the same place. Washington immediately 
upon receiving this reinforcement, commenced his march to 
Princeton, but before he had reached it, he learned that Corn. 
wallis was rapidly advancing from New Brunswick by different 
routes, with the intention of getting in his rear, and he was 
obliged to retreat across the Delaware, and establish himself in 
Pennsylvania. 

Washington having secured the boats, and broken down the 
bridges on the roads leading along the Jersey shore, posted his 
army on the west bank of the river, to guard the fords by which 
the enemy might pass, and as his rear guard crossed the river, 
the glistening bayonets of the enemy came in sight. The main 
body halted at Trenton, and stationed detachments above and 
below, so as to render it uncertain where they might attempt to 
pass. 

Cornwallis attempted to seize a number of boats at Coryell's 
ferry, which were guarded by Lord Sterling, but was unsuccess- 
ful ; he then repaired the bridges below Trenton, and sent a 
strong detachment of his troops to Bordentown, six miles be- 
low, evidently showing his design was, to cross the river both 
above and below Trenton, and in two columns to march directly 
to Philadelphia, or to completely envelop the American 
army. 

General Washington in his endeavors to counteract this plan, 
stationed four brigades under Generals Lord Sterling, Mercer, 
Stephens and DeFormoy, from Yardley's to Coryell's ferry, in 
such manner as to guard every suspicious point of the river, 
and to assist each other in case of attack. General Irvine,* with 
a portion of the Pennsylvania flying camp, and some New Jersey 



*In Spark's Life of Washington, this officer is called Ewing ; in Marshall's 
Irvine, and in Wilkinson's, Irving— all evidently meaning the same officer. 



438 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

militia under General Dickenson, were posted from Yardley's 
ferry down to the ferry opposite Bordentown. Colonel Cadwal- 
ader, with the Pennsylvania militia was stationed on the Nesham- 
ony as far as Dunk's ferry, at which place was also Colonel Nix- 
on, with the Philadelphia battalion. Strict orders were given 
these officers as to their line of conduct, in case he should be 
driven from his post, and forced from the river, to rendezvous on 
the high grounds at Germantown. 

General Lee having been frequently directed to join the rest 
of the army, but being desirous of retaining his separate com- 
mand, was slow to obey, desiring rather to threaten the rear of 
the British army, than to strengthen the army in front of them. 
In opposition to the judgment of Washington, he established 
himself at Morristown. Being again urged to march, he pro- 
ceeded reluctantly toward the Delaware. 

Information of his march having been communicated to the 
British, General Harcourt, with a body of cavalry, while he was 
passing through Morris county, near Baskingridge, and about 
twenty miles from the British encampment, stopped at a house 
about three miles from his troops, and early in the morning of 
the twelfth of December, reached Lee's headquarters, and 
surrounding the house, Lee became a prisoner, and was borne off 
in triumph to the British army, where for some time he was 
treated not as a prisoner of war, but as a deserter from the British 
service. 

This misfortune made a painful impression throughout Ameri- 
ca. No officer except the commander-in-chief himself, had so 
large a share of the conridence of the army and country ; his 
capture therefore was universally bewailed, as the greatest calam- 
ity that had befallen the army. 

After the capture of Lee, the command fell on General Sulli- 
van, who obeyed the orders promptly, and on the twentieth of 
December, he joined Washington by the way of Phillipsburg. 
General Gates arrived the same day with some northern troops. 
These with other reinforcements increased the American army to 
about seven thousand men. 

The British were unable to obtain boats, and were therefore, 
unsuccessful in crossing the river as they had anticipated to do 3 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 439 



:^j 



^^ 



■f^< 



he therefore determined to close the campaign, and retire into ^ 

winter quarters. He disposed his army of about four tliousand vO 

men, on the Delaware at Trenton, Bordentown, White Horse 
and Mount Holly, the remainder he distributed from the Dela- , 

ware to the Hackensack rivers. Washington supposing that the "^c 

object of the enemy was to attempt to gain Philadelphia, in case S 

the ice became sufficiently firm to bear them. 

In order to counteract this, three regiments marching from 
Peekskill, were halteil at Morristown, and there consolidated with 
about eight hundred New Jersey militia under General Ford. 
This whole command was placed under General Maxwell, of this 
state. 

He was to watch the movements of the enemy and harass their 
marches, and to communicate intelligence as to their move- 
ments, particularly such as might be made from New Brunswick ^ 
towards Princeton or Trenton, and to prevent the inhabitants 
from going within the British lines for protection. 

At this perilous juncture Washington labored to impress upon 
congress the necessity of making still greater exertions to form a 
permanent army, particularly to increase the cavalry, artillery 
and engineers, and also to extend his own powers, which were 
not sufficient to meet cases which daily occurred. 

His army at this time, except a few regiments from Virginia, 
Pennsylvania, Maryland and New York, leaving him an effective 
force of only about fifteen hundred men, would dissolve in a few 
days. New Jersey had in a great measure submitted, but the 
militia of Pennsylvania had not displayed as much alacrity as 
had been expected, and, in case the ice on the Delaware proved 
sufficient to bear them, it was feared that General Howe would 
capture Philadelphia, which would have a dangerous effect on 
the contest. 

But General Washington saw a ray of hope in the dispersed 
situation of the British army, and determined to strike a blow, 
which if successful might recover the ground he had lost, and 
retrieve his cause. He therefore formed the daring plan of attack- 
ing all the British posts on the Delaware. This plan was sug- 
gested by General Joseph Reed. 

** In the present alarming position of affairs in America, it was 



440 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

of great moment that something should be done to rouse the 
spirit of the country, which had been so greatly depressed by the 
retreat through the Jerseys. Washington devoted anxious thought 
and prayerful attention to a plan, which he determined at the 
earliest moment to carry into effective action. At the time the 
Americans crossed the Delaware, winter was fast setting in, and 
the British general determined not to carry on active operations, 
during the inclement season of the year. He seemed to have 
lost all fear of a feeble enemy, whom he had so easily driven be- 
fore him, and whom he confidently expected soon to annihilate; 
he therefore cantoned his troops with a view to the convenient 
resumption of their march, rather than with any regard to security 
against a fugitive foe. 

** As he entertained not the slightest apprehension of an attack, 
he paid little attention to the arrangement of his several posts, 
for the purpose of mutual support. He stationed a detachment 
of about fifteen hundred Hessians at Trenton, under Colonel 
Rahl, and about two thousand at Bordentown, under Count 
Donop, the rest of the army was quartered over the country, be- 
tween the Hackensack and Delaware rivers. Howe felt perfectly 
secure in his winter quarters, for so far as appearances went, he 
had no cause to fear anything from the Americans ; for with an 
over-powering force, well disciplined, and flushed with victory, 
he felt quite justified in treating with contempt the small and 
broken army of Washington. 

" He did not suppose the commander-in-chief would dare 
venture upon offensive operations. But Washington determined 
to anticipate the movements of Howe, and to strike a blow 
which should be felt, and which should demonstrate to the 
enemy, as well as the people of America, that the cause of in- 
dependence was by no means hopeless. He therefore formed 
his available forces into three divisions, and accompanied by 
Greene and Sullivan, proposed to cross the river at JvIcConkey's 
ferry, about nine miles above Trenton, and fall upon the 
Hessians in that town. 

" The second division, under General Ewing, was to cross 
over at Trenton ferry, and taking charge of the bridge over the 
Assanpink, were to cut off the enemy's retreat ; while the third, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 441 

under General Cadwalader, was to cross lower down, from Bristol, 
about ten miles below Trenton, over to Burlington. Had the 
plan been executed at all points it must have resulted in the 
capture of the whole line of the British cantonments, but owing 
to a variety of obstacles it was but partially successful. The 
evening of Christmas day was selected, because it was known to 
the commander-in-chief, that the Germans held that day as a 
general holiday, and he knew they, feeling secure in the town, 
would give way to more than ordinary indulgence and festivity, 
and would not be on their guard for the approach of an enemy. 

"The night was intensely cold; the Delaware was choked 
with floating masses of ice; the current was strong; and the 
wind blew keenly and sharply. 

''He exhorted the soldiers to be firm, and they remembered, 
with indignation, the outrages and injuries inflicted upon the 
people of New Jersey by the insolent foe, and the no less inso- 
lent and vindictive tories. They were now ready to do or die 
for their homes and their country. 

*' Washington had expected that the passage of his division 
might have been effected by midnight, but the dreadful weather, 
the encumbered state of the river, and the difficulty of getting 
the artillery across, occasioned so much delay, that it was four 
o'clock before the whole body were in marching order on the 
New Jersey shore. 

"The darkness of a winter morning was still further deepened 
by a heavy fog, and the road was rendered slippery by a frosty 
mist. The snow and hail beat upon them during the whole 
march. 

"As it would be daylight before they could reach Trenton, a 
surprise of that post was now out of the question ; there was, 
however, no alternative left but to proceed. Washington took 
the upper road, while Sullivan commanded the lower ; and about 
eight o'clock in the morning, both parties encountered the 
pickets of the enemy, who, keeping up a fire from behind the 
houses, fell back upon the town, and aroused their comrades. 

" The Americans followed them up so closely that they were 
able to open a battery at the head of King street, the principal 



442 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

street of the town, before the astounded Hessians could offer any 
effectual resistance."* 

While the two armies were in and around Boston they suffered 
severely from the small pox ; the enemy, in order to avoid the 
pestilence, and finding it a more favorable place as their base of 
operations, removed to New York, which necessarily led to the 
breaking up of the American camp at the former place. A portion 
of the enemy's force proceeded to Charleston, South Carolina, 
where they met with the memorable defeat at Fort Moultrie. 
Acting upon the presumption that New York was the objective 
point of the British commander, Washington ordered his troops 
in that direction. 

The brigade of General Nathaniel Greene was despatched to 
Long Island, where he arrived about the middle of April, and 
established his headquarters at Brooklyn ; the remainder of the 
American troops were put in possession of New York, while the 
enemy were encamped on Staten Island, in New Jersey. 

To Greene was assigned the command of the troops in New 
Jersey, and he established his headquarters at Fort Lee, on the 
Hudson, about nine miles above New York, or at Bergen, as 
events required his presence at either place, in order to keep 
open a communication with the main army east of the Hudson 
river, and secure for Washington a retreat, should circumstances 
render it necessary. 

Overwhelmed by the enemy, the army abandoned this part of 
the state, and made their retreat through New Jersey, and con- 
tinued across the state until they had arrived upon the Penn- 
sylvania side of the Delaware river. 

They remained here until Washington had conceived that the 
auspicious moment had arrived to strike a blow in Trenton, and 
either perish or accomplish this desired object. And at a mo- 
ment of the greatest seeming prostration, the columns of Wash- 
ington were set in motion for the surprise of Trenton, which wag 
eminently successful, and at once aroused the nation into hope 
and confidence. In this enterprise the affair was decided in a 
few minutes, by the defeat and surrender of more than a thous- 

* Spencer, Vol. i, p. 458. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 443 

and Hessians, who were considered among the best troops of the 
British army. 

At dusk on the night of the 25th of December, 1776, the con- 
tinental troops, commanded by General Washington in person, 
amounting to two thousand four hundred men, with twenty 
pieces of artillery, began to cross at McConkey's ferry. The 
troops at Yardleyville and the stations above, had that day as- 
sembled at this ferry. Among the prominent and active men 
who were employed ferrying over the troops, were Uriah Slack, 
William Green and David Lanning. 

It was between three and four o'clock in the morning before 
all the artillery and troops were over and ready to march. 

Many of the men were very destitute, as regarded clothing. 
The ground was covered with sleet and snow, which was falling 
at the time, although the day before there was no snow, or only 
a little sprinkling of it, on the ground 

General Washington, (who had sat in silence on a beehive, 
wrapped in his cloak, while his troops were crossing,) as they 
were about to march, enjoined upon them all profound silence 
during their march to Trenton, and said to them: ^^ I hope you 
will allfglU like men. ' ' 

The sun had just risen as the tents of the enemy appeared in 
sight. Washington, rising in his stirrups, waved his sword and 
exclaimed : " T/iere, viy brave friends, are the c?iemies of your 
country ; and now, all I have to ask is, to rcmemder what you are 
about to fight for. March /' ' 

The army marched at a quick step, in a body, from the river 
up the cross-road to the Bear Tavern, about a mile from the 
river. The whole army then marched down this road to the 
village of Birmingham, about three and a half miles distant. 

There they halted, examined their priming, and found it all 
wet. Captain Mott, notwithstanding he had taken the precau- 
tion to wrap his handkerchief around the lock of his gun, found 
the priming wet. " Well,'" said General Sullivan, " zuc musi 
fight than with the bayonet. ' ' 

From Birmingham to Trenton, the distance by the river road 
and the Scotch road is nearly equal, being about four and a half 
miles. 



444 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The troops were formed in two divisions. One of them, com- 
manded by General Sullivan, marched down the river road ; the 
other, commanded by General Washington, accompanied by 
Generals Lord Stirling, Greene, Mercer, and Stevens, filed off 
to the left, crossed over to the Scotch road, and marched along 
until they entered the Pennington road about one mile above 
Trenton. 

Scarcely a word was spoken from the time the troops left the 
ferry (except what passed between the officers and guides,) till 
they reached Trenton ; and with such stillness did the army 
move, that they were not discovered until they came upon the 
outguards of the enemy, who were posted in the outskirts of the 
town, at or near the house of Colonel David Brearley,* when 
one of the sentinels called to Laning,f (who was a little in ad- 
vance of the troops,) and asked, "Who is there?" Laning 
replied, "A friend!" "A friend to whom?" "A friend to 
General Washington." At this the guard fired and retreated. J 

The American troops returned their fire and rushed upon 
them, driving them into the town. At the head of King street, 
(now Warren,) Captain T. Forrest opened a six gun battery, 
under the immediate orders of General Washington, which com- 
manded the street. Captain William Washington and Lieuten- 

* This was just after daybreak, according to the testimony of several persons 
who lived in the town or neighborhood at the time. 

•j- This Laning had a few days before been taken prisoner by a scouting 
party, in the Scudder neighborhood, near the Delaware river, carried to Tren- 
ton and confined in a house on Tucker's comer (Greene and State). 

Watching an opportunity, when there was a little commotion among the 
guard, he slipped out of the back door, sprang over a high board fence, and 
escaped to the house of Stacy Potts, who took him in, and concealed him that 
night. The next morning, Laning dressed in an old ragged coat, and flapped 
hat, put an axe under his arm, and went with his head down, limping along, 
and so passed the enemy's sentries in safety, in the character of a wood-chop- 
per, but when he got where the Pennington and Scotch roads meet, he looked 
in every direction, and seeing no person, threw down his axe, and took to 
Dickinson's swamp, and so escaped. 

J At the commencement of the engagement, when Washington with his 
sword raised, was giving his orders, it is said a musket ball passed between his 
fingers, slightly grazing them. He only said, " that has passed by." 



4 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 445 

ant James Monroe, (afterwards president of the United States,) 
perceiving that the enemy were endeavoring to plant a battery 
in King street, rushed forward with the advance guard, drove 
the artillerists from their guns and took from them two pieces, 
which they were in the act of firing. These guns are now in the 
State Arsenal. Captain Washington and Lieutenant Monroe 
were both wounded in this successful enterprise. 

A part of this division marched down Queen street (now 
Greene) and extended to the left, in order to cut off the retreat 
of the enemy towards Princeton. 

The division of the army which came down the river road, 
under the command of General Sullivan, fell upon the British 
advance guard at Rutherford's place, in the northwestern part of 
the town, at about the same time that Washington entered it on 
the north. 

Both divisions pushed forward, keeping up a running fire with 
small arms,* and meeting with but little opposition until the 
enemy were driven eastward in Second street, (now State,) near 
the Presbyterian church, where there was some fighting, the 
enemy having made a momentary stand ; but finding themselves 
hemmed in and overpowered, they laid down their arms in the 
cornfield back of the Presbyterian church. 

Colonel Rahl, the Hessian commander, whose headquarters 
was at the corner of Warren and Bank streets, was mortally 
wounded during the early part of the engagement, being shot 
from his horse while endeavoring to form his dismayed and dis- 
ordered troops. 

When, supported by a file of sergeants, he presented his sword 
to General Washington, (whose countenance beamed with com- 
placency at the success of the day,) he was pale and bleeding, 
and, in broken accents, seemed to implore those attentions 
which the victor was well disposed to bestow upon him. He 



* When the firing commenced on the morning of the battle, a daughter of 
Mr. Stacy Potts was at Miss Cox's, opposite the Episcopal church, and as she 
was running to her father's house a musket ball struck the comb from her 
head, slightly injuring her. 



446 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

was taken to his headquarters, where he died on the third day- 
after the battle. 

The number of prisoners taken at that time was twenty-three 
officers and eight hundred and eighty-six privates. Four stand 
of colors, twelve drums, six brass field pieces, and a thousand 
stand of arms and accoutrements. 

The British light-horse and four or five hundred Hessians 
escaped at the beginning of the battle over the bridge across the 
Assanpink, at Trent's mills, and fled to Bordentown. 

If General Ewing, whose division of the army was opposite 
Trenton, had been able to cross the Delaware, as contemplated, 
and take possession of the bridge across the Assanpink, at 
Greene street, all the enemy's troops which were in Trenton 
would undoubtedly have been captured. But there was so much 
ice on the shores of the river that it was impossible to get the 
artillery over.* 

Immediately after tnis victory — which greatly revived the 
drooping spirits of the army — General Washington commenced 
marching his prisoners up to the Eight Mile Ferry (McConkey's), 
and before night all were safely landed on the western shore of 
the Delaware. But Washington would not let a man pass more 
than was necessary, until all the prisoners were over. 

Among the Americans but two men were killed, while the 
Hessians lost seven officers and about thirty men. Twenty-four 
of the latter were buried in one pit, in the Presbyterian burying 
ground, by the American troops. f 

It has been reported that after taking the Hessians, while the 
American army were marching their prisoners to the ferry, that 
two of our men were frozen to death. But the cause of their 
death can be accounted for in this way. The night after the 
capture, December 27th, several of the American soldiers, who 
were worn down with fatigue, being poorly clad, took refuge at 

*• New Jersey Hist. Coll., by Barber and Howe, p. 296. 

f Some years after this battle, several skeletons and coffins were found 
where the Assanpink empties into the Delaware riyer, which many supposed 
were Hessians killed in this battle, but it has since been ascertained that they 
were English, quartered at White Hall barracks, during tlie French war^ 
about the year 1760. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 447 

the house of a Mrs. Scudder. Several of them became very sick 
in the night and two or three died, and it is not, therefore, 
unlikely that these were the persons mentioned as having frozen 
to death. Although the American army suffered great privations 
and underwent very many hardships, still it is extremely doubt- 
ful that the two men above mentioned did actually freeze to 
death. 

Washington, in his report to Congress, under date of Decem- 
ber 27th, 1776, from his headquarters at Newtown, Pennsylva- 
nia, the next day after the battle, gives the following account of 
it: 

'' I have the pleasure of congratulating you upon the success 
of an enterprise which I had formed against a detachment of the 
enemy lying in Trenton, and which was executed yesterday 
morning. The evening of the 25th I ordered the troops in- 
tended for this service, to parade back of McConkey's ferry 
(now Taylorsville), that they might begin to pass as soon as it 
grew dark — imagining that we should be able to throw them all 
over with the necessary artillery by twelve o'clock, and that we 
might easily arrive at Trenton by five o'clock in the morning, 
the distance being about nine miles. 

" But the quantity of ice made that night, impeded the pas- 
sage of the boats so much, that it was three o'clock before the 
artillery could all be got over, and near four before the troops 
took up their line of march. 

" I formed my detachment in two divisions — one to march up 
the lower or river road, the other by the upper or Pennington 
road. 

"As the divisions had nearly the same distance to march, I 
ordered each of them, immediately upon forcing the outguards 
to push directly into the town, that they might charge the enemy 
before they had time to form. 

" The upper division arrived at the enemy's advanced post 
exactly at eight o'clock, and in three minutes after, I found from 
the fire on the lower road, that that division had also got up. 
The outguards made but a small opposition ; though, for their 
numbers, they behaved very well — keeping up a constant retreat- 
ing fire from behind houses. We presently saw their main body 



448 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

formed, but from their motions, they seemed undetermined how 
to act. 

*' Being hard pressed by our troops, who had already got 
possession of their artillery, they attempted to file off by a road 
on their right, leading to Princeton ; but, perceiving their in- 
tention, I threw a body of troops in their way, which immediately 
checked them. 

" Finding from our disposition, that they were surrounded, 
and they must inevitably be cut to pieces if they made any 
further resistance, they agreed to lay down their arms. 

" The number that submitted in this manner was twenty-three 
officers and eight hundred and eighty-six men. 

" Colonel Rahl, the commanding officer, and seven others, 
were found wounded in the town. 

" I do not know exactly, how many they had killed; but I 
fancy not above twenty or thirty — as they never made any 
regular stand. 

''Our loss is very trifling indeed — only two officers* and one 
or two privates wounded. 

" I find the detachment of the enemy consisted of three 
Hessian regiments of Landspatch, Kniphausen and Rahl, amount- 
ing to about one thousand five hundred men, and a troop of 
British light-horse ; but immediately upon the beginning of the 
attack, all those who were not killed or taken, pushed directly 
down the road towards Bordentown. 

" These, likewise, would have fallen into our hands could my 
plan have been carried into execution. 

" General Ewing was to have crossed before day at Trenton 
ferry,f and taken possession of the bridge leading to the town, J 
but the quantity of ice was so great, that though he did every- 
thing in his power to effect it, he could not cross. 

"■ This difficulty also hindered General Cadwalader from cross, 
ing with the Pennsylvania militia from Bristol. He got part of 

* These were Captains Washington antl Monroe, 
f Just below where the old Trenton bridge now stands, 
J The bridge across the Assanpink in Greene street, which post he was to 
have taken to prevent the escape of the enemy to Llordcntown. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 449 

his foot over, but finding it impossible to embark his artillery he 
was obliged to debist. 

"I am fully confident, that, could the troops under Generals 
Ewing and Cadwalader have passed the river, I should have been 
enabled, with their assistance, to have driven the enemy from all 
their posts below Trenton. But the numbers I had with me 
being inferior to theirs below, and a strong battalion of light- 
infantry being at Princeton above me, I thought it most prudent 
to return the same evening, with the prisoners and artillery we 
had taken. We found no stores of any consequence in the 
town. 

" In justice to the officers and men, I must add that their 
behaviour on this occasion reflects the highest honor upon them. 
The difficulty of passing the river on a very severe night, and 
their march through a violent storm of hail and snow, did not 
in the least abate their ardor — but, when they came to the 
charge, each seemed to vie with the other in pressing forward ; 
and were I to give a preference to any particular corps I should 
do injustice to the other. Colonel Baylor, my first aid-de-camp, 
will have the honor of delivering this to you, and from him you 
may be made acquainted with many other particulars. His 
spirited behaviour upon every occasion requires me to recommend 
him to your particular notice." 

Spencer says * — " It is said, that on the morning of the sur- 
prise, Rahl, who had been carousing all night, after an enter- 
tainment, was still engaged at cards, until aroused, at length, by 
the roll of the American drums, and the sound of musketry, he 
started to his feet, hurried to his quarters, mounted his horse- 
and in a few moments was at the head of his troops, vainly 
attempting to atone for his fatal neglect. In a few moments he 
fell to the ground mortally wounded, and was carried away to 
his quarters. All order was now at an end ; the Hessians, 
panic-struck, gave way, and endeavored to escape by the road to 
Princeton ; but were intercepted by a party judiciously placed 
there for the purpose, and compelled to surrender at discretion, 

* Spencer's Histoiy of the United States, Vol. I., p. 459. 

2 K 



450 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

to the number of about a thousand men. Six cannon, a thousand 
stand of arms, and four colors, adorned the triumph of Washing- 
ton. In this moment of brilliant success, purchased at the ex- 
pense of others, he was not unmindful of the duties of humanity; 
but, accompanied by Greene, paid a visit to the dying Hessian 
leader, and soothed his passage to the grave, by the expression 
of that grateful and generous sympathy, which one brave man 
owes to another, even when engaged in opposite causes." 

END OF VOL. I. 



I 



^^22^-78 



,i" ; 1 






p 



>• 






^^' 



•O ■<? 



.c^ ^^.5I»: ^0^ 



^^:W 



•^-0^ 






* o 


















,-^" / 



'bV" 












:^^ 



•^-•i^ 

v^-^. 

# % 



>y" /^ 



^'^ 



V .-L 






o;.^:- 












^ . f . ^ 

or . • •♦ o 



■AC- • 






o 



•*' .<" ... <>. --^ A^ .. % '"-' .<^ 



: A^^^. -. 



.^ 



-^^ .^j.4:^. ^^ 



c 



0^ e-^'.'- '^O- 



x^-n^. 












vO- 



*-.. 

'' • 



;.5^X^v^\ 









C^ 



v-^^ 



-% 



••■■/ 



\ 



>>, <* 



. . » -0 v3 






v^i^ 



Ao^ 



%■'■ 



°* *-• 



.<?-' 






^o 



,/.■ 



"^4^ 
O^ 



B « , u ^ 

V . < • o . '^> 



.^ 



^' 






^* -^ 










H/'. 



Jo .o^_, '^i^^^/ .4q 



r'v 



.0- 






a? -*» 



^^--^ 



"^. *^^!^^'^* .<^^'' 






.^' 






3^"-. l^.. 







C^ N-Sr- I »^' 0*°"^ '•^^<'~ /° C^ 



INDIAN'^ 









^^^ .. 



U8RARy OF CONGRESS 



014 224 779 3 





